Grand Inauguration by Ashok R Foundation at Ashok Cosmos Mall, Sanjay Place — Dr. Ranjana Bansal Sets an Inspiring Example
Agra, A vibrant celebration of Indian art, craft, and culture marked the grand opening of “Virasat – A Platform of Indian Art, Craft and Culture” at Ashok Cosmos Mall, Sanjay Place. The initiative has been launched by Ashok R Foundation with the vision of uniting artists, artisans, and art lovers on one meaningful platform.
The event was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, as the Chief Guest. Distinguished guests included Rakesh Garg, Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Small Industries Corporation; Anuj Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Industries); and Puran Dawar, Chairman, Footwear and Leather Industry Council.
Dr. Ranjana Bansal, founder of Ashok R Foundation and Agra Zardozi Development Organization, said in her address:
“‘Virasat’ is not a shop or an outlet, but a living stage where art, artists, and admirers meet. Indian art is globally recognized, yet remains distant from the common people. Through Virasat, we aim to bridge that gap and offer our local heritage a global platform.”
She added that the ancient Zardozi art of Agra, traditionally known as Krishnakari, will be a major highlight of Virasat. Along with this, artworks of Alabaster craft—a renowned Italian sculpture form taking over six months to complete—will also be on display. The platform will feature marble inlay work, brass handicrafts, wooden temples, Diwali gift sets, decorative items, wedding accessories, and handcrafted invitation boxes.
In his address, Divisional Commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh praised the initiative, calling it “a commendable step toward reviving Agra’s artistic heritage.” He emphasized that while India possesses infinite artistic talent, only 7% of people are formally trained, and training programs for artisans are essential in today’s competitive era.
Rakesh Garg appreciated Dr. Bansal’s effort, stating,
“A civilization sustains only when it moves forward with its heritage. This initiative will give Indian art a renewed global identity.”
Anuj Kumar announced that Zardozi will soon be included under the ‘One District, One Product (ODOP)’ scheme, with geo-tagging to follow shortly. He also mentioned that Agra’s traditional crafts will be showcased and marketed at the Unity Mall being built at Shilpgram.
Puran Dawar added that Agra’s art forms deserve continuous encouragement and that such initiatives are vital for their preservation.
Manish Agrawal Ravi, Chairman of Braj Development Foundation, remarked that “celebrating Indian festivals with Indian handmade gifts truly reflects the blend of ancient heritage and modern India.”
Zardozi to be Included in ODOP Scheme
On behalf of the Agra Zardozi Development Organization, Dr. Ranjana Bansal submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner, requesting the inclusion of Agra’s Krishnakari (Zardozi) in the ODOP and geo-tagging programs. Members Rashi Garg, Faizuddin, Ayushi Chaubey, Anurag, Bilal, Naman Upreti, Alark Lal, Varun Gupta, and Agraj Jain were present during the submission.
Cultural Showcases and Artistic Highlights
The inauguration ceremony was followed by captivating cultural performances, including Ganesh Vandana dance and soulful musical recitals. Mayank Pratap, a student of Lalit Kala Sansthan, presented an impressive live painting session.
The event was beautifully anchored by Shruti Sinha. Distinguished attendees included Ajay Agrawal (BN Group), Sanjay Agrawal, Anand Rai, Rajeev Gupta, Rajeev Agrawal, CA Anuj Ashok, Rajesh Goyal, Dr. D.V. Sharma, Dr. Sandeep Agrawal, Dr. Parul Agrawal, Sanjeev Chaubey, Lovely Kathuria, Sqn Ldr A.K. Singh, Dr. Sushil Gupta Vibhav, Sharda Gupta, Dr. Alka Sen, Dr. Aparna Poddar, and Poonam Sachdeva.
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