Varanasi: From the intricate craftsmanship of Banarasi silk and pink meenakari to wooden toys, traditional cuisine and contemporary products, Kashi’s rich heritage and modern entrepreneurial spirit will converge at the fourth edition of the UP International Trade Show, scheduled from Sept 25 to 29 at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida.As many as 45 entrepreneurs from Varanasi have registered for the event, which will offer a platform to showcase the region’s signature products, including Banarasi silk, wooden toys, pink meenakari and soft stone jali work. The exhibition will also feature contemporary products developed by local MSMEs and young entrepreneurs to cater to domestic and international markets.Deputy commissioner, District Industries Promotion and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, Abhishek Priyadarshi, said the participating entrepreneurs represent One District One Product (ODOP), micro enterprises, MSMEs, GI-tagged products, new and established exporters, One District One Cuisine (ODOC) and the Mukhyamantri Yuva Yojana.He said the trade show would showcase Kashi’s diverse identity through its cuisine, clothing, home decor, traditional attire and daily-use products. Alongside handicrafts and Banarasi silk sarees, visitors will also get to taste ODOC products such as launglata, tirangi barfi and Banarasi paan.According to officials, the UP International Trade Show aims to take locally manufactured products to larger markets while opening up new business opportunities for entrepreneurs and artisans. The platform will bring Kashi’s traditional art and craft alongside its emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem, allowing buyers to explore a wide range of products under one roof.The exhibition will also feature natural wellness products, container bags, multifilament yarn and other goods used in transportation and packaging. Officials said these products are witnessing growing demand in international markets.Entrepreneurs participating in the event said such platforms provide traditional crafts with an opportunity to reach wider audiences. National Award-winning artisans associated with GI and ODOP pink meenakari, including Kunj Bihari, and Amrita Singh, an entrepreneur associated with Varanasi’s wooden lacquerware and wooden toy industry, said the trade show would provide artisans engaged in traditional crafts access to a larger market.Aditi Singh, director of Shri Vidhi Organic Products, which manufactures natural wellness products related to women’s health and is a beneficiary of the CM Yuva Yojana, said the event would help entrepreneurs take their products to international markets.Rajesh Bhatia, president of the Small Industries Association, Varanasi, said the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show had emerged as an important platform for MSMEs and handicrafts from Purvanchal and across the state. He said it connects local businesses with national and global buyers while promoting technological and industrial expansion.Of the 45 registered entrepreneurs from Varanasi, 15 are from ODOP, seven are MSMEs, seven are new exporters, one is an established exporter, 10 represent GI products, four are from ODOC and one is from the CM Yuva Yojana.
