rickshaws in banaras are all set for a makeover the attractive versions of the vehicle adorned with a local art form will soon roll on the roads dastkari haat samiti a national association of indian crafts people founded by politician and indian handicrafts curator jaya jaitly with the support of intach indian national trust for art and cultural heritage is making this transformation happen painted with motifs used in wooden toys a local cottage industry four prototypes of the rickshaw are near completion and the rest are soon to followspeaking on the vision behind this venture jaya founder of the samiti says it is often seen that in our attempts for development we focus all our efforts on other transportation like cars etc but we forget the lowest or the basic form which is the rickshaw for a place like banaras where 80 of the people move on rickshaws both the rickshaw and the rickshaw puller are in a shabby state so in order to spruce up the vehicle we thought of getting them painted using motifs which we see on wooden toys a local handicraft and reeling under a crisis situation the art used is quite local which everyone can immediately connect easily with through this initiative we wanted to ensure that both the rickshaw pullers and the toy makers benefit the rickshaw pullers could charge more with a much more attractive rickshaw while the majority of the toy makers who earn a meagre amount per day could enhance their income by painting these rickshawsjaya further adds we are trying to bring about multiple benefits from this venture this will not only promote tourism but will also contribute in the prime ministers plan for a cleaner banaras if the rickshaw puller has an attractive rickshaw then he will be motivated to wear cleaner attire similarly where ever this rickshaw will go it will spread a message of cleanliness especially in the lanes which remain in unhygienic conditionsthe project that started several months back involved the participation of rickshaw body and chassis maker and wooden toy painters ankit kumar designer dastkari haat samiti who was involved in the designing part says after several trips to banaras i got in touch with all these important people of the project and explained to them on the kind of designs we wanted on the vehicle our idea was not only to make the rickshaw attractive but also comfortable we intend to implement this on ordinary rickshaws geared rickshaws erickshaws as well as battery operated rickshawsplans are also to involve the rickshaw pullers in selling of wooden toys the sales of which has dwindled considerably over the years on a day when the rickshaw puller wants to take it easy he can use his attractive rickshaw to display the wooden toys on his vehicle and sell it on the ghats informs ankitonce the four prototype rickshaws are complete then i will approach the ministry of public transport and ministry of textile and have them