Gift ODOP This Dhanteras: CM Yogi Urges Support for Local Artisans

On the auspicious festive occasions of Dhanteras and Dhanvantari Jayanti, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a heartfelt appeal to millions of residents across the state to embrace indigenous craftsmanship by choosing One District One Product (ODOP) merchandise as their primary festive gifting choice. Emphasizing that consumer spending during festive cycles possesses transformative social potential, the Chief Minister underscored that every single local purchase directly illuminates the home of a skilled craftsperson with self-reliance, financial dignity, and economic empowerment. Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide call for "Vocal for Local," Adityanath urged households, corporate entities, and community leaders to celebrate a "Local Diwali," ensuring that grassroots artisans who have preserved India's centuries-old cultural traditions across generations are made active partners in the state's collective celebration.Championing Local Craftsmanship: Lighting the Lamp of Self-RelianceIn an inspiring message shared with citizens across social and digital platforms, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reflected on the deep spiritual and cultural significance of Dhanteras as a harbinger of prosperity, fortune, and well-being. He noted that real prosperity is realized only when the rewards of festive commerce reach the grassroots level of society. "The holy festival of Dhanteras symbolizes prosperity, auspiciousness, and good fortune," the Chief Minister stated. "On this sacred occasion, make the hardworking artisans and craftsmen of our state an integral part of your celebrations. Their relentless dedication, intricate talent, and creative devotion have preserved and enriched our cultural heritage from one generation to the next. A single conscious purchase of an ODOP product by you can light the lamp of self-reliance, respect, and economic security in the household of a skilled family."Cultural Identity and Geographic Indication: Distinct Crafts of Uttar PradeshThe Chief Minister highlighted how Uttar Pradesh's flagship One District One Product scheme, launched in 2018, has systematically revived dying traditional cottage industries and turned localized crafts into recognizable global brands. Each district across the state possesses a distinct artisanal legacy that mirrors centuries of refined material culture. Adityanath pointed to the world-renowned hand-knotted and tufted carpets of Bhadohi, which continue to adorn international luxury spaces, the intricate and sustainable Munj grass crafts of Prayagraj, the delicate metallic wire-inlay work of Mainpuri known as Tarakashi, and the vibrant, non-toxic lacquer wooden toys of Chitrakoot as shining examples of Uttar Pradesh’s unique creative identity. These unique craft clusters not only support rural livelihoods and empower women-led self-help groups but also represent sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to mass-produced synthetic imports during the festive shopping season.Export Boom: Scaling From ₹84,000 Crore to Over ₹2 Lakh CroreDemonstrating the tangible economic impact of indigenous manufacturing and targeted government support, the Chief Minister cited the state’s extraordinary export growth over the past decade. Uttar Pradesh’s total export valuation has registered a massive leap, surging from ₹84,000 crore in fiscal year 2016-17 to over ₹2,00,000 crore (₹2 lakh crore) in 2025-26. Adityanath observed that this dramatic expansion stands as a powerful testament to the entrepreneurial resilience, skill refinement, and output capacity of the state’s rural and semi-urban artisans. Through structured interventions such as modern toolkit distribution, artisan credit cards, subsidized bank credit, design intervention workshops with premier design institutes, and direct e-commerce integration on platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and Amazon, traditional micro-enterprises have transformed into competitive export powerhouses capable of fulfilling global retail orders.World-Class Trade Platforms: Carpet Bazaar and Modern Expo MartsTo connect regional craft clusters with international buyers and high-volume institutional purchasers, Uttar Pradesh has developed specialized marketing infrastructure within its major industrial and cultural belts. The establishment of the dedicated international 'Carpet Bazaar' in Bhadohi has created a state-of-the-art exhibition and trading hub for carpet weavers and international sourcing delegations, cutting out exploitative intermediaries. Similarly, the modern, expansive Expo Marts in Lucknow and Greater Noida regularly host mega international trade shows, providing regional master craftsmen with high-visibility platforms to showcase their goods alongside large industrial enterprises. These exhibition corridors have democratized market access, enabling remote artisans from Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, and the Terai belt to negotiate contracts directly with global exporters and domestic corporate buyers.'Local Diwali' Call: Fulfilling the Vision of a Self-Reliant Uttar PradeshLinking festive purchasing power directly to state-building, Chief Minister Adityanath reiterated that building an Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh (Self-Reliant Uttar Pradesh) requires active citizen participation. By prioritizing local products—from Terracotta diyas and idols of Gorakhpur to Chikankari textiles of Lucknow, brassware of Moradabad, and black pottery of Nizamabad—consumers create an economic multiplier effect that circulates capital within the regional economy. "Let us celebrate a 'Local Diwali' in the true sense," Adityanath urged. "When you gift an ODOP product, you are not merely sharing an exquisite, handcrafted item; you are expressing pride in our state’s genius, investing in a weaver’s future, and strengthening the foundation of our local economy. Let our festivities become a catalyst for community prosperity."Festive Milestone: Distributing 4,543 Police Appointment Letters on DhanterasCoinciding with his Dhanteras address, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also highlighted a major employment milestone achieved on the same day in the state capital. The Chief Minister announced the distribution of formal appointment letters to 4,543 newly selected Sub-Inspectors and Platoon Commanders of the Uttar Pradesh Police at an official ceremony held at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow. Congratulating the newly inducted officers, Adityanath wished them an exemplary and dedicated service career, emphasizing that law and order, transparency in public recruitment, and grassroots economic empowerment together form the pillars of Uttar Pradesh’s holistic development trajectory. Concluding his address, the Chief Minister extended warm festive greetings to all citizens on Dhanvantari Jayanti and Dhanteras, praying for universal health, peace, and abundance across the state.