Mera Houchongba Fest Fair concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28 2018:
The Mera Houchongba Festival Fair 2018, organised by District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal East, under the sponsorship of Directorate of Handlooms and Textile from October 22 at Konung Lampak, concluded today.
HERICOUN president Longjam Ratankumar Meetei, District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal East Project Manager Ch Tombi Devi and Weavers' Service Centre, Porompat, Assistant Director (Design) C Rajase Kharan attended the closing ceremony as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the event, L Ratankumar said that the fair which showcases the handloom and handicraft talents of the people has been organised as a part of Mera Houchongba festival for the last 10 years.
He conveyed that according to experts, handloom and handicraft is next to agriculture when it comes to means of livelihood in the State and appealed to all to work towards promoting and protecting the talents and indigenous art of handloom and handicraft.
On the other hand, he raised concerns over the lack of geographical indication tagging of the handlooms produced in the State as well as proliferation of certain handloom products which are made with machines imitating the indigenous products.
To guard against these factors, he stressed on the need for people to produce handlooms which are varied in designs and fit according to the needs and wants of the modern society as well as for women and mothers to use the indigenous products as much as possible to promote them.
Ch Tombi said that this is the first time the fair has been organised under the jurisdiction of the Sana Konung and added that during the fair, both the hills and the valley people sold their products under one roof in harmony.
If the people are hesitant to use the indigenous products, the society will not develop.
For the Department, the officers and the staff have been instructed to wear the indigenous products at least twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday).
Apart from this, various other possibilities are being scouted to, promote the use of indigenous handloom products, she added.
Ch Tombi also stressed on the importance of being versatile and being able to design the indigenous handloom products according to the times and needs of the society.
Certificates and honorarium were distributed to the weavers, SHGs and the people who participated in the fair as a part of the closing function.