Sarojininagar to Host Mega Youth Festival on 22nd; Honey Singh to Perform Live
Lucknow: Lucknow witnessed a vibrant cultural celebration on Wednesday as the much-awaited ‘Hindustan Handicraft Festival – 2025’ opened with grandeur at Smriti Upvan, Aashiyana, under the Sarojininagar Assembly constituency. The festival was inaugurated by Sarojininagar MLA Dr. Rajeshwar Singh along with former Deputy Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Dinesh Sharma, who lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the beginning of the cultural extravaganza.
The week-long festival, scheduled from December 19 to December 25, 2025, promises a colourful showcase of traditional artistry with handicraft products from all 28 states of India. From textiles and pottery to tribal art, metalwork and regional craft traditions, the event offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the artistic and cultural diversity of India in one place.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Rajeshwar Singh described the festival as a moment of pride for Sarojininagar and an important platform for millions of artisans across the country. “This is a magnificent event. Handicraft is the soul of India. Nearly 3 crore families across the nation are connected with this traditional industry. Festivals like these give them identity, opportunity and recognition on a national scale,” he said. He added that while Lucknow is globally known for chikankari, the city must now aim to establish itself as the ‘Handicraft Capital of India’, embracing a wider range of creative and craft traditions.
Adding to the excitement, Dr. Singh announced that on November 22, Sarojininagar will host a special youth-centric event — ‘Youth Utsav @ Sarojininagar’ — as part of the festival celebrations. The highlight of the evening will be a live performance by superstar Yo Yo Honey Singh, expected to draw a crowd of over 20,000 enthusiastic attendees. Dr. Singh said the youth festival will not only be a celebration of music and energy but will also encourage young people to connect with India’s traditional handicraft ecosystem.
The MLA also highlighted the ongoing efforts toward women’s empowerment in the constituency. He informed that 162 Tara Shakti Kendras have been established in Sarojininagar, aimed at supporting local women artisans and entrepreneurs. Stalls from these centres have been set up at the festival, giving women a significant platform to showcase and market their products. “It gives me immense satisfaction that products from our Tara Shakti centres are becoming a major attraction. This initiative is helping women gain confidence, financial independence and new opportunities,” Dr. Singh stated.
The Hindustan Handicraft Festival 2025 is set to run for over a month, offering a rich blend of art, culture, tradition and enterprise. Through its extensive participation and diverse exhibits, the festival is expected to propel Sarojininagar into a rising hub of cultural and creative excellence. Dr. Singh also extended his gratitude to organisers Arun Singh and Gunjan Verma for their efforts in making the event possible.
Dr. Singh later inspected the preparations for the ‘Youth Utsav @ Sarojininagar’, reviewing stage construction and logistical arrangements. He formally began the stage setup with traditional rituals, marking the start of one of the most anticipated youth events in the area. With Honey Singh’s live show set to electrify the evening, Sarojininagar is gearing up for an unforgettable cultural and musical celebration that promises to leave a lasting impression on the young audience.
Prominent personalities present at the inauguration included former MLA Suresh Tiwari, former Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia, Amit Tandon, Shankari Singh, Rama Shankar Tripathi, trader leader Sandeep Bansal, Santosh Srivastava, Prabhu Nath Rai, Vinod Kumar Mishra, Swati Singh, councillor K.N. Singh, councillor Braj Mohan Sharma, Nagendra Singh, councillor representative Kamlesh Singh and several others.
