GORAKHPUR, Sept. 18 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday lauded the contribution of artisans and traditional craftspeople to the economy, saying more than three crore people in Uttar Pradesh were associated with craftsmanship and traditional occupations. Addressing a Vishwakarma Puja celebration at the Shri Vishwakarma Panchayat Temple in Jatashankar, Gorakhpur, Yogi described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "new craftsman of India" for connecting traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and new markets. "Due to the encouragement of the double-engine government, more than three crore people in Uttar Pradesh associated with craftsmanship and traditional occupations are successfully moving towards employment and self-reliance," he said. Yogi said traditional skills had long been the foundation of self-reliance for masons, carpenters, confectioners, goldsmiths and others. "Countries that respect artisans and craftsmen are the ones that progress," he said. After performing rituals in honour of Lord Vishwakarma, Yogi extended greetings to artisans and people across the state on Vishwakarma Jayanti and wished Modi a long and healthy life. htc...