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The credit for the beautiful concept of Dilli Haat goes to Jaya Jaitly. She has done enormous good to the handicrafts scenario in India. Dilli Haat, located opposite INA market in South Delhi is her brainchild. It was set up in 1994, jointly by Delhi Tourism, Government of Delhi and NDMC, D.C. (Handicrafts) and D.C. (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It was created for the middle classes and students, not really the elite. It is (deliberately) made as a place for equalization of customers and crafts people. The immense popularity of the concept can be gauged from the tremendous public interest it receives even today with youngsters, families, tourists and foreigners thronging the place and patronizing the various products on display. So, another one was set up in Pitampura (North Delhi) in 2008.
These Haats not only give the artisans a good boost monetarily but emotionally as well and make them want to carry the tradition forward. Unlike the traditional weekly markets, this Bazaar has permanent food stalls representing each state of India and the craft stalls change every 15 days.
