MLA Olish urges Meetei women to wear tribal attires
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 07 2022:
Chandel MLA SS Olish has urged womenfolk of the Meetei community residing in the valley to wear the phanek (sarong) and other cloths made by tribal women, just as they are wearing the ones made in the valley.
The third day of the ongoing MANITEX organised by Directorate of Handloom and Textiles at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi, was observed as Chandel and Tengnoupal Day.
As part of the observance on Monday, a discussion was held on the traditional attires of different tribal communities of the two districts wherein as the guest of honour, MLA Olish remarked that only the women in Manipur have been safeguarding the traditional attires of their respective communities, with the womenfolk using handloom products more than the men.
She then said that tribal women often wear the traditional attires of Meetei community but it is rare to see Meetei women wearing the tribal attires.
Thus, she urged for using the traditional tribal attires so as to not only bring the relationship between the hill and the valley closer, but also help in increasing the income, of tribal women.
The MLA further urged for preserving the unique traditional attires of each community and to use indigenously-made cloth instead of the expensive ones brought from outside the state.
This will help increase the income of weavers as well expand the sector, she stated.
In his speech as the chief guest, Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited chairman MLA Kh Ibomcha said that each community has its own attire and as such, urged for using them as much as possible.
He also stressed on the need for adopting the latest technology to further beautify and increase the uniqueness so as to increase its demand and sale outside the state.
Stating that we cannot be called a civilised society if we cannot protect our culture, customs and traditions including attires; the chairman assured of addressing the shortage of looms in consultation with the government.
As part of the observance, eligible weavers received financial assistance through direct benefit transfer under the National Handloom Development programme.