The rebranding of projects and institutions linked to the previous Trinamool Congress government is continuing in West Bengal. In the latest move, the ‘Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat’ in Shantiniketan’s Prantik area has been renamed ‘Paschim Banga Shilpi Haat.’
As part of the change, the old blue-and-white signboard has been removed and replaced with a saffron-coloured board. The state government is also planning to hold six state-level handicraft fairs at the venue by March next year.
Earlier, the BJP-led state government had replaced the ‘Biswa Bangla’ logo with the Ashoka Pillar at several government establishments and on official platforms. Several welfare schemes have also been renamed, including ‘Banglar Bari Awas’ to ‘Paschim Banga Awas’, ‘Sabuj Sathi’ to ‘Sarathi’, and ‘Kanyashree’ to ‘Kanya Ratna’.
The MSME and Textiles Department has prepared a redevelopment plan for the handicraft centre, which has struggled for years to attract visitors. The proposal aims to increase tourist footfall and improve the earnings of local artists and artisans.
Under the plan, the premises may get food stalls, district tourism information centres, exhibitions showcasing disappearing folk traditions, and spaces promoting local cuisine. The initiative is expected to create new employment opportunities for local youth while boosting sales of handicraft products.
The handicraft hub was inaugurated in 2014 by then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Spread across nearly four acres near Prantik railway station on the Sonajhuri-Kankalitala road, the center can accommodate around 130 artisans selling their products. It also provides lodging facilities for artisans coming from distant districts.
Despite these facilities, the market has failed to draw significant crowds. Artisans say most tourists visiting Shantiniketan prefer the popular Sonajhuri Khowai Haat and rarely visit this nearby craft centre. They blame poor publicity and a lack of initiatives to attract visitors, resulting in low sales and financial losses for local craftsmen.
