VARANASI: A master craftsman from Varanasi Rameshwar Singh presented a wooden Ganesha to the to visiting Swiss President Doris Leuthard at an exhibition organised at National Handicraft and Handloom Museum, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on Friday.The exhibition-cum-sale of handicraft registered under Geographical Indication (GI) has been organised by the ministry of textiles at Pragati Maidan from August 28 to September 4. During her three-day visit to India the Swiss President also visited the exhibition on Friday."I presented the Swiss President a 6" tall wooden Ganesha when she came to my stall. She was highly impressed with the Indian handicrafts, and she also wated to know about the art piece I presented to her," an elated Singh told TOI over phone. Singh is a National Merit Awardee for his craftsmanship in wooden toys and artifacts."I was returning Varanasi on Thursday, but I got my ticket cancelled when I was told that the Swiss President would visit my stall today," he said adding, "I also told her about the display of Banarasi handicraft items in the the 55th General Assembly of International Bureau of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland in 2015". "It was one of the happiest moments in life for me to present a gift to the celebrated international guest," he said.Though Singh could not go to Geneva to take part in WIPO held from October 5-10, 2015, his products were displayed in the exhibition. A three-member delegation from Varanasi, including two artisans, ha taken part in WIPO event."It is a matter of great happiness that Banarasi craft was appreciated by Swiss President. It would give exposure to local GI products globally," said Rajni Kant, a GI expert who is instrumental in getting GI certification to several products of the region and makin it a hub of GI products.So far eight products of this region including Banaras Brocade and Saree, Handmade carpet of Bhadohi, Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft, Varanasi wooden lacquer ware and toys, Mirzapuri handmade dari, Nizamabad Black Pottery, Metal Repausee and Glass Beads have received GI certification.

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