Poompuhar plans virtual display at airport

Palaniswami made this announcement while addressing Handicrafts Day celebrations here. 

“The proposed facility with state-of-the art technology would be setup at a cost of Rs 2.17 crore assistance from the state,” he said. 

Sources said Poompuhar would have this facility as a mobile unit in an expanse of about 1,000 sq ft and would provide VR devices to visitors. “They can get the experience of walking around a showroom displaying the works of various artisans and the visitors can virtually examine the products before buying it,” the source said. As part of the celebrations, the CM launched an Urban Handicraft Exhibition set up at Rs 5 crore and a Craft Café with handicrafts display set up at a cost of Rs 35 lakh, both in Mamallapuram. 

Palaniswami also inaugurated a 3-D Design, Research and Development Centre at a cost of Rs 1.68 crore in the city and Common Service Centres to facilitate artisans which were set up at a total cost of Rs 3.6 crore in Nachiyarkoil, Swamimalai, Thanjavur, Madurai, Kanniyakumari and Vagaikulam. 

Poompuhar, the retail arm of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, which had undertaken the beautification and interior decoration of Chennai Airport both domestic and international, is set to beautify Tiruchy and Thoothukudi airports too. 

The CM also disbursed awards to 247 best handicraft artisans across seven broad categories. 

Deputy CM O Panneerselvam said the sale value of handicrafts produced by Poompuhar in 2016-2017 had reached Rs 40.36 crore and it had set a production target of Rs 6.65 crore for the fiscal 2017-2018.