Banda’s Rare Shajar Stone Takes Global Stage at UP International Trade Show 2026
Bundelkhand’s indigenous craftsmanship and regional heritage are ready to capture the attention of global markets at the high-profile UP International Trade Show 2026, held at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. Driven by the regional development priorities of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Banda district's heritage stone craft and authentic culinary delicacies are stepping into the international spotlight. The premier cross-border expo provides Bundelkhand's artisans, culinary makers, and micro-entrepreneurs direct access to overseas delegations, international retail procurement heads, and institutional export houses.
ODOP Revitalizes Banda’s Centuries-Old Shajar Stone Heritage
The state's flagship One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and responsive MSME policy interventions have revitalized Banda’s heritage mineral craft. According to Sudhir Srivastava, Joint Commissioner of the Industries Department, four distinct entrepreneurial groups from Banda are participating in the global event. The centerpiece of Banda’s showcase is the celebrated Shajar stone (dendritic agate), a geological marvel naturally deposited along the Ken River basin, renowned for intricate scenic tree-like mineral inclusions trapped inside translucent stone. Dedicated exhibition pavilions curated by master craftsmen Dwarika Prasad Soni and Arjun Gupta feature decorative artifacts, handcrafted jewelry, and collectors' pieces, presenting the rare riverbed mineral directly to international art buyers and bespoke jewelry design firms.
Bundelkhand’s Gastronomic Identity Goes International
Beyond geological craftsmanship, Bundelkhand’s traditional food culture is set to make a strong impression on international visitors. In alignment with the state’s regional culinary preservation push, artisanal food maker Deepak Soni is curating a dedicated culinary stall featuring Banda’s signature festive sweets, specifically traditional Balushahi and caramelized Sohan Halwa, introducing international delegates to authentic Bundeli sweets. Concurrently, regional entrepreneur Kamal Ahuja is presenting packaged bakery products under the enterprise development quota, demonstrating the district's growing modern food processing and packaging capabilities.
Youth Enterprises and Export Opportunities Drive Regional Growth
The international trade fair also highlights the emergence of a new generation of business leaders from the hinterlands. Rising entrepreneurs Ravi Nagaich and Shivam Kushwaha, incubated and supported under the Chief Minister’s Youth Entrepreneur Scheme (Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan), are representing the district’s industrial transformation. Local artisan collectives emphasize that traditional crafts that once suffered from isolation and middleman exploitation under previous regimes are now reaching high-value global trade corridors. The multi-day international fair is expected to unlock significant export inquiries, long-term procurement orders, and global marketing linkages for Banda's Shajar stone cutters and Bundelkhand's grassroots food processors.
