9th National Handloom Day celebrated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2023: As observed across the country, Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, Government of Manipur, today celebrated the 9th National Handloom Day in 22 Handloom Clusters located across the State.

The main celebration of "9th National Handloom Day & Opening of Training of Human Resource Bank" was held today at AGMC in Lamboikhongnangkhong, Imphal.

It was attended by Lamlee Kamei, Director of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur; E Jeeten Singh, Joint Director of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur; Th Awon Shimray, Project Manager (HL); and Th Basanta Singh, GM(A), MHHDC Ltd as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, Lamlee Kamei informed that the National Handloom Day was first marked in 2015, a practice initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

9th National Handloom Day celebrated

She shared that the Day is celebrated every year to promote this industry and honour the skills & hard work of the vast pool of handicraft workers across the country.

She continued that to promote the handloom sector, the Government of Manipur has initiated a policy to use 100 percent handloom products in Government offices located across the State.

Stating that only women using indigenous handloom products is not enough to improve the handloom sector, she encouraged all the men to use locally made "Khudei" and other handloom products instead of "Lungi" and other items imported from other States.

E Jeeten asserted that many people especially in rural and semi-rural areas of Manipur are largely dependent on the handloom sector for their livelihood.

Pointing out that the handloom sector is both eco-friendly and cost-effective, he urged all the weavers to work hard to maintain quality and increase production to generate more income.

E Jeeten further shared that the Government of India has initiated a number of schemes/ programmes to promote the handloom sector in the country such as Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY), Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), and Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) .

District Handlooms & Textiles, Imphal East also celebrated National Handloom Day 2023 at Common Facility Centre (Handloom), Shintha Handloom & Handicraft Complex, Thongju Part-II under Mega Handloom Cluster, Imphal East.

It was attended by DM University, Vice Chancellor Prof N Rajmuhon; Shintha Handloom & Handicraft president S Bhubol; Padmashree (Fading craft) Konsam Ibomcha and Shilpa Guru Awardee (Handloom) Gurumayum Shanti as presidium members.

Moreover, the 9th National Handloom Day was also celebrated at Langdum Community hall by Mega HL, Khabam Leikai Community Hall by CDP Heingang, Kongba Makha Nandeibam by CDP Kshetrigao, Utlou Mayai Leikai Community Hall by Utlou CDP, Ningthoukhong Awang Khunou Community Hall by Bishnupur CDP, Awangleima Community Hall by Moirang CDP, Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai Community Hall by Wangoi CDO, Khurkhul Mamang Leikai Community Hall by Lamshang CDP, Awang Jiri Mayai Leikai Community Hall by Patsoi CDP, Khuringmul Community Hall by DHT Chandel, DHT Tumnoupokpi by DHT Kangpokpi, Kamjong Tall Hall by CDP Kamjong, Phungya Community Hall by CDP Phungyar, DHT Kakching Office by DHT Kakching, Thanagong Community Hall by CDP Khoupum, Thingba Khunou Community Hall by CDP Purul, Training Hall Laii Village by CDP Paomata, etc.