Kashi's Ganga clay Lakshmi-Ganesh idols near GI tag

The GI tag hearing for Banaras Clay Craft — the traditional stick-on Lakshmi-Ganesh idols made from sacred Ganga silt — has been completed, with final registration now awaited. Padma Shri awardee Dr. Rajnikant says the GI tag will protect the heritage craft, recognise local Prajapati artisans, and boost national and international market reach.