Weavers urged to use handloom mark
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 11 2024:
The 14-day State Handloom Expo (Hathkargha Mela) organised by the Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited kicked off on Wednesday a.t Manipur State Film Development Society complex, Palace compound.
Weavers' Service Centre deputy director Priyadarshi Daripa, who attended the opening function of the handloom expo as chief guest, expressed concern over the proliferation of counterfeit handloom products in the market and urged weavers to consistently use a handloom mark to enable customers to easily differentiate between authentic handloom items and those produced by machines.
Using a handloom mark will help the authenticity of handloom products, she said, while suggesting that weavers and craftsmen create products with appealing designs to attract customers.
She said that Palace Compound is the ideal place for Hathkargha Mela being held with the funding of the office of the development commissioner (handloom) of the Ministry of Textiles, and highlighted the importance of accessible locations for the Mela's success.
Regarding the Handloom Expo, Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited general manager Th Basanta said the corporation had organised Handloom Expo for the financial year 2023-24 twice earlier with Palace Compound event being the third one.
The last expo held at GM hall was a huge success and proposal for organising another expo at GM hall in January next year had been made to the ministry.
There are more than two lakh weavers in the state but the rate of joining government sponsored insurance is still very low, he said and appealed to weavers to join insurance.
He also said that CM's Yarn scheme will be implemented very soon while clarifying that it would benefit only those possessing weaver ID and Yarn passbook.
The opening function of the handloom expo was also attended by Imphal East District Handloom & Textiles project manager Y Ashalata and state awardee RK Sarda as guests of honour.
More than 60 stalls are being set up at the expo exhibiting different designs of handloom and handicraft items.