Nemcha calls for promoting indigenous handloom items
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, August 07 2022:
The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles celebrated the 8th National Handloom Day at City Convention Centre, here while Rivers Service Centre celebrated the day at its Porompat premises on Sunday.
During the state level celebration held at City Convention Centre, textiles, commerce & industry minister Nemcha Kipgen launched the Cluster Development Programme for the state and said that Ministry of Textiles has taken various initiatives for promotion and development of the handloom industry in the country.
She said that government of India has sanctioned 21 Cluster Development Programme (CDP) under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and one mega handloom cluster in Imphal East district.
State government had initiated the Yarn Scheme in 2018-19 and the scheme is being proposed to continue further till 2026-27, she said, adding that a total of 6,705 Frame Looms have been provided to 6,705 weavers till 2021-22 under the Loom Upgradation Scheme introduced in 2018.Reiterating the importance of promoting the unique handloom products of Manipur, Nemcha Kipgen said that the state government has registered Wangkhei Phee, Shaphee Lanphee and Moirang Phee under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in 2014 .
As a part of the celebration, state handloom awards were also handed over to outstanding weavers and handicrafts artisans in recognition of their contribution to handloom and handicrafts industries in the state and as encouragement, financial assistance of Rs 2-4 lakh each was handed over to national and state awardees for producing award-winning items at commercial scale.
Padma Shree awardees namely Mayengbam Muktamani, Lourembam Binodini and Konsam Ibomcha Singh were also felicitated and handed over cash award of Rs 1 lakh and shawl each.
Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Cooperation chairman Kh Ibomcha, Manipur Women Development Cooperation chairperson Soraisam Kebi Devi also attended the event besides director (handloom) K Lamlee Kamei and joint director Elangbam Jeeten among others.
Meanwhile, Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan has said that handloom and handicrafts could generate huge revenue for the state to the tune of Rs 600 crore annually.
Speaking as chief guest at the 8th National Handloom Day celebration organised by Rivers Service Centre at its Porompat premises, Noorul Hassan noted that handloom and handicraft sector helps in improving economy of the country and majority of women of the country are dependent on this industry.
In respect of Manipur, around 70 percent of women of the state are involved in handloom and handicrafts and all the 32/33 indigenous communities of the state have their own unique handloom products.
Among the products of Manipur, handloom and handicraft products have the highest potential for export, he added.
Attending as resource persons, L Surjit of Patent Information Centre, Manipur Science and Technology Council and National Handloom Development Corporation Limited assistant manager Y Shantikumar spoke on patent rights of products, GI tag and benefits provided by NHDC for weavers.
During the event, Pahechan card, yarn passbook, handloom mark certificate and MUDRA loan amount were distributed to weavers while national awardees and innovators were encouraged with presentation of simple gifts.
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