4th National Handloom Day
Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans/Craftsmen will be launched very soon: Thongam Biswajit
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, August 07 2018:
Textiles Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has informed that Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans/Craftsman (MEETAC) will be launched very soon in the State.
He stated that the main objective of the mission is to attain the goal of self-employment and inclusive development and economic empowerment to traditional artisans/craftsman of the State as well providing market place for the finished products.
The Minister was speaking at the 4th National Handloom Day celebration held at MSFDS, Palace Compound organised by the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Manipur.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Th Biswajit Singh highlighted the significance of the observance which commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905.He said the Day is observed to promote the products of the weavers, artisans and craftsman of the Nation.
Stating that the State has 3.09 lakh weavers, he said the handloom industry is inherited tradition of the State.
He announced the Central Government will start giving integrated cluster scheme from this year, acknowledging the performance and activities of our weavers.
Assuring to the weavers that the handloom industry will not decline with the launch of power loom, he said the products of both the handloom and power loom are different items.
Speaking on empowerment of women, he said the Central schemes Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were launched with an objective to empower the women of the country.
He opined that handloom delivery scheme will enable the weavers to save time and increase their production thus helping them to generate more income which will further lead to the development in the society.
Asking the weavers to work harder and focus on innovative ideas, he announced that the Government will give design and excellence awards from the next year.
"Manipur is abundant with medicinal plants and herbs.
We should promote natural dye in the State to boost our income," he said.
On employment, he said Start Up Policy was launched to solve unemployment problem.
The policy focuses on educated unemployed youths, he informed and urged the youths to avail the opportunity.
The Minister asked the officials of Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles to properly screen the cards for weavers and while giving MUDRA loans.
He also advised the officials to provide trainings to the untrained weavers.
As part of the function, a logo of Handloom and Handicrafts was launched as part of the function.
A reference book 'Manipur Handloom Development Programme' and a book authored by Mutua Bahadur were also released.
Three National awardees were also honoured with cash prize of Rs 4.40 lakhs each.
Two State and two Merit awardees were given Rs 1 lakh each and Rs 50,000 each respectively.
A documentary film 'Chara Iyong - Looms & Life' was also released and screened at the function.
S Rajen Singh, Chairman, Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd, O Lukhoi Singh, Vice Chairman, MIDA, S Subhaschandra Singh, MLA, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC, P Vaiphei, IAS, Principal Secretary (Textiles, Commerce and Industry), Govt of Manipur, K Lamlee Kamei, Director, Handlooms & Textiles, Govt of Manipur along with Directorate officials and many weavers attended the function.
The day was also observed in other districts also.
Here are the highlights of the programmes in other districts:
Imphal West: District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal West too observed the day at Yumnam Huidrom with Deputy Chairman MIDA O Lukhoi Singh, Project Manager (H/L) DHTO Imphal West N Nilabantajit Singh and Chairperson Thongkhong Luxami
Municipal Council Y Jamuna as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the event, O Lukhoi Singh recalled that the celebration of National Handloom Day was initiated by the then Union Minister of State for Textiles (Ind/charge) Santosh Kumar Gangwar in 2015.N Nilabantajit said that the celebration is to boost the confidence of the handloom weavers and promote handlooms.
A road-map for promotion, development and welfare of handloom weavers of Manipur has been launched by the Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Government of Manipur, he said.
Jiribam: District Handloom and Textiles, Jiribam observed the National Handloom Day at Morbung community hall.
President Morbung Meira Paibi L Sandyarani Devi, Cluster Development Executive Sonapur Handloom Cluster Y Pritamkumar Singh and Ward member Morbung Th Mukta Singh attended the event as presidium members.
Speakers at the event encouraged the weavers and womenfolk for their further growth and development.
Tengnoupal: District Handloom and Textiles Office, Tengnoupal celebrated the day at the work shed of Salemphai Handloom Cluster.
Rev of Maring Naga Baptist Association (MNBA) (Departmental Cell) T Modungkhul, Salemphai Handloom Cluster Development Executive Y Boby Singh, Moreh Handloom Cluster Development Executive Salam Ratankumar Singh, Moreh Handloom Cluster Designer L Inaocha Mangang and Salemphai Area Handloom Cluster chairman DK Modang Maring attended the event as presidium members.