3rd National Handloom Day celebrated Govt keen to uplift State weavers : Biswajit
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 07 2017:
Noting that the State has the highest concentration of weavers in the country, Textile, Commerce & Industry Minister Th Biswajit announced that the State Government would take up projects to facilitate Manipuri weavers and promote handloom products of the State .
He was addressing the 3rd National Handloom Day Celebration held at City Convention Centre, Palace Gate .
The observance function was jointly organised by Development Commissioner for Handlooms Weavers' Service Centre, Imphal under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles .
Speaking as chief guest, Minister Biswajit maintained that Manipuri weavers are talented and the handloom products designed by them are in demand outside the State .
He said that the State Governemnt is well aware of the hardships faced by Manipuri weavers and need for promoting handloom products to boost economy of the State .
He said that the State Government is planning to open a stall in New Delhi with an aim to showcase the unique beauty of handloom products designed by Manipuri weavers and promote them both at the National and International level .
The Minister emphasised on the need for taking up steps to sell handloom products of the State through online .
He assured that he will take up before the State Cabinet the issue of making handloom made uniforms mandatory in schools, colleges and in Government offices .
Appealing to the people to extend support to the Government in its endeavour to promote handloom products of the State, he observed that people have started switching to handloom clothing in a fashionable way which is a good sign .
Elaborating on the selection of beneficiaries for Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme, the Minister said that the Government is considering granting projects under the scheme to clusters instead of individual weavers as this will help in promotion of handloom in the State .
He also declared that the Government is planning to revive the spining mill at Loidang Khunou with the objective of facilitating promotion of handloom products of the State .
He said that the Department will organise a National level Vibrant Handloom Expo in the State so as to showcase our handloom products to the outside world .
Investors are ready to invest in the handloom sector in the State and that the Government is also mulling feasibility of signing MoUs with some of the investors with the aim of improving the State's economy, he added .
He urged officials of the Department to work with sincerity for the successful implementation of all the Government schemes and projects to promote and preserve our traditional handloom products .
As part of the event, Minister Biswajit released the Compendium of Handlooms & Textiles .
Prizes to the Best Performing Handloom Clusters of Manipur were also handed over to Andro Cluster and Yarou Bamdiar Cluster.
The prize carries a cash award of Rs 50,000 and a citation .
Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited Chairman Rajen Singh presided over the observance function.
Officials of the Department and individual weavers and from different clusters were present at the occasion.