Haathkargha Mela underway at Urban Haat
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 08 2023:
Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) under the aegis of Development Commissioner for Handloom and Handicrafts, ministry of textiles, launched Haathkargha Mela (State Handloom Expo) at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi, Imphal East on Thursday.
MHHDCL managing director E Jiten and Weavers' Service Centre deputy director Priyadarshini Daripa attended the inaugural function as chief guest and president respectively.
Development Commissioner for Handicrafts deputy director (handicraft) M Sanchivkumar, district handloom and textiles Imphal East project manager (handloom) Y Ashalata and Nilakuthi Meira Paibi leader Paonam Memma were also present on the occasion as guests of honour.
Weavers and artisans from different parts of the state are taking in the expo through 60 stalls, among which some display products made by displaced people living in different relief camps.
Speaking on the occasion, E Jiten asserted that the expo has been organised under the sponsorship of the ministry of textiles keeping in view the hardships faced by weavers and artisans, who could not find a market to sell their products due to the present crisis in the state.
There are 41 handloom stalls, 12 handicraft stalls and the remaining are promotional stalls while around four stalls are based on products made by displaced people in relief camps, he said.
Highlighting the importance of handloom and handicraft in the so-cio-economy of the state, Jiten called for using these products and promoting local handloom and handicraft products as much as possible.
He also emphasised the importance of customer satisfaction in production so that there are more demands.
He further stressed the need for delving into the reasons behind the steep rise in price of certain products such as silk sa-ree, which now cost Rs 24,000 against Rs 14,000 six months back.