Ningol Chakkouba fair kicks off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28 2013:
District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal West has organised the inaugural function of 'The Ningol Chakkouba Festive Fair, 2013' to be held for six days at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.
Principal Secretary of Commerce and Industries, O Nabakishore Singh, IAS as chief guest at the occasion observed that the marketing of handloom clusters of the State is a major challenge.
Such fairs have been organised at District, State and International level.
India's products will be showcased at the fair which will be held from January 17 next year at Mandalay in Myanmar, he noted and expressed his desire that the people join the fair.
Ten stalls have been sought for Manipur in the fair, for which the Government will bear all the expenses.
Stating that most handloom products in the State are produced exclusively for women, the Principal Secretary urged to produce handloom clothings for both the genders.
Like 'Rani-phi', 'Saree-matek', silk saree, etc, handloom 'Kurta' for man can be produced, in more quantities, he opined adding that some apex handlooms in the State have started producing such clothing for man.
He also urged to include other designs in the production as such clothings accompany huge profits.
Handloom pants like Jeans for boys and girls can also be produced.
Product diversification is much necessary as our handloom will stay behind in terms of development if we always stick to the traditional form, Nabakishore Singh stressed and asserted that the Government of India is taking up many programmes to improve the lifestyle of handloom weavers.
During the inaugural function, V Tualthang, Addl Director Commerce and Industrues, Manipur exhorted the participants to put a collective strive in order to improve the quality and increase the quantity of handloom products.
It is mandatory that a weaver or producer keeps a record of products which are in high demands.
This will help for local consumption if not for exports, he maintained and informed that the State will aslo take part in the Trade Fair to be held on November 14, which will be a chance for the development of Manipur's handloom, handicraft and small scale industries.
M Rajen Singh, P/M District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal West said the Festive Fair is being organised with regard to the 'Ningol Chakkouba' festival to display the products crafted by women weavers, so that people can choose 'gifts' for the festival from it.
Government of India had also instructed to organise such festive fair every year when the festival occurs.
Designs developed during training have been converted into commercial and displayed in the Festive Fair which will conclude on November 2, he added.
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