Production of quality handloom items stressed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 26 2022:
Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited managing director E Jiten has stated that time has come for the weavers and artisans of the state to enter the international and national level, failing which the state's spot could be taken away by other states.
The Corporation under the aegis of Development Commissioner for handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, inaugurated a District Handloom Expo at the Corporation's complex, Paona Bazar, here, on Saturday.
The inaugural function was attended by Corporation MD E Jiten as chief guest and Weavers' Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles deputy director Kh Robin as president, while national awardee K Medha and Imphal East project manager Th Ibemcha were present as guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Jiten urged the weavers and artisans of the state to be aware of the global trend so as to make products which would attract the attention of customers at both the global and national level.
This is urgent considering the fact that completion of the Trans-Asian highway will bring about huge socio -economic changes.
At the time, if we were to export products not preferred by customers, there will be no benefit no matter how much the products were exported.
Thus, if products from Myanmar are exported along the route instead of Manipuri products, it will relegate the people of Manipur to labourers, he remarked and stressed the need for concerted efforts while there is still time.
The MD then observed that even though there were said to be many types of Muga (silk) produced by the weavers of the state, today less than 20 types could be traced.
As such, weavers should produce high end products which could be sold at high prices, he suggested, while adding that there will no shortage of markets for the same.
"The corporation also has been supporting the weavers and the artisans by buying their products and selling the same to others at low prices.
Presently, there is shortage of 'Lengyan' in the ongoing Sangai Festival.
In the past, over 500 Lengyan were sold and as of now, there is demand for 400-500 Lengyan almost every day.
However, weavers often ignore to weave the clothes as per the specifications given by the Corporation, which is only deterring the buyers from purchasing their preferred products.
"Meanwhile, the indigenous clothes of the state are highly preferred by tourists.
There nave been buyers from Delhi visiting the Panthoibi Arcade at Paona Bazar, including army personnel and officers who are on deputation to the state.
But, the issue at the moment is that the buyers, despite their liking of the products, often hesitate over pricing of the goods..
Although the threads provided to the weavers are subsidised by 20 percent, it is difficult to lower the prices on the final products," he conveyed.
Informing that a national handloom expo will be held in Delhi on December 21, Jiten invited applications for the stalls from Manipur.
Weavers and artisans from other states will also be taking part in the expo, he said and added that it will also serve as an interaction point for all the participating weavers and artisans from the states.
In his speech, Weavers' Centre deputy director HK Baro said that the Centre has been assisting Self Help Groups, NGOs and Societies with regard to weaving, design and dyeing.
He then urged all concerned to visit the centre and share their ideas, while assuring that the Centre will extend all possible help.
He continued that the Centre has been promoting the works of different weaver clusters, apart from providing skill development training and looms to the weavers under one of its schemes.