Handloom Industry of Manipur

Pito Hijam *

In Manipur the Handloom Industry has been playing a pivotal role in the economic since times immemorial. The traditional skill of handloom weaving is not only a matter os status symbol for the women-folk in the State, but also is an indispensable aspect of their socio-economic life.

In fact, it is one industries, which gives and generate a maximum employment to the women-folk both young and older ones. In Manipur the women community take part in handloom industry and is the only source of income in their families for their life.

Around the glove, India has maximum Handlooms and Weavers. Within the India, North Eastern Region has occupy more than 50% of Hnadlooms and Handloom Weavers, than how important this industry is. Again within the NER, Manipur has listed in 2nd position next to Assam.

This means that we (Manipuri = Hill+Plain) are the luckiest somehow in this industry. Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India has frme a lot Schemes/Projects to developed the said industry.

In Manipur, lots schemes/projects were already implemented and some schemes are also ongoing. But we are going back day by day instead of moving ahead by implementing such schemes/projects. Than who is the resposible for that?

Yes, ofcourse, the Govt. has maximum resposiblity for this and also we(public) has some share too. Only throwing stones to the Govt. hasn't the altimate solutions. That means, we (public) are also have some responsiblities to save the decline of handloom sector in Manipur.

It is right time to wake up otherwise it will be too late. Well, our Govt. has also need to take some constructive steps or decisions regarding the handloom sector. Maximum weavers in this region are women and also maximum are illeterate so they doesn't know about the past and existing schemes/projects.

So somebody are taking advantages in their(weavers) names. We really need to give awareness to the weavers through local volunteers/pradhan with the expert(s). Well, recently in Manipur the project so called CLUSTER is on going.

Lots of components are there like skill upgradation ( weaving/dyeing/designing ), Looms upgradation like fitting jalla, dobby & jacquard, Exposure visits, Organising Buyer Seller Meet, etc.

Yes, everyone ( both higher authority to weavers ) are talking about the handlooms, to promote the products into the international markets. So far, we are in this situation than I do hope it will take another generation to occupy a small place in the international level.

Yes, we have lots designs and textures that can promote in higher level for that we required an expert(s) to diversify our handlooms products into the international markets.

Otherwise, by giving speech only in the function(s) we can't do anything. We really need to take action and right implementation.

I would like to put some sugessions regarding the handloom sector for my state Manipur.
My sugessions & observations :

1. We really need to have a seperate handloom directorate.
2. We really need to select a right benefitiaries with the help of local volunteeries.
3. We really need to give awareness to the weavers with the help of expert.
4. Instead of giving speech by depressing the weavers, we need to bring forward the weavers.
5. Sometimes, we need to monitor the Implementing Agency, whether they are implement the schemes in right directions or not.