Lucknow's Charbagh Railway Station gets new Chikankari stores under OSOP initiative

Earlier last year, Indian Railways had rolled out a 'One Station One Product' (OSOP) scheme, in order to promote indigenous art and craft at railway stations. Herein, handicrafts created by local artisans were chosen to be displayed to represent the particular city and propagate it. The initiative aims to uplift the tribals, local weavers, potters, craftsmen, and artisans alike. It also targets at focussing the energies of the innumerable travellers that frequent the station daily into 'vocal for local'.

In tandem with the aforementioned project, three stalls displaying explicit and intricate works of Chikankari have been set up at Lucknow's Charbagh Railway Station under OSOP. Chikankari is one of the major cultural identities of the city of Nawabs.

The stalls have been placed strategically at platform number 1, second at the ticket counter of platform number 1, and the third at Choti Line/Lucknow junction. These shops, running for three months at a time, demonstrate Lucknow's rich Chikankari.

One of the stall owners spoke with Knocksense about the response the products were garnering. "We've got a good response and are currently at a no profit no loss zone. The shop remains open 24/7," expressed Mohd Saif, owner of the shop selling traditional ethnic wear with beautiful Chikankari embroidered.

"We're happy with the initiative and expect our sales to increase in the coming time, especially after the cold wave subsides," he added.

The token money of setting up the shop is ₹6,000 (excluding electricity bill), in which every seller is given a time period of three months. After this, the space will be allotted to other sellers. During this, the railways will take care of the infrastructure expenditure.

OSOP, after ODOP, aims at creating similar ripples as the latter has managed to do. Campaigns like these are important to promote the unique indigenous products and preserve the art and craft.