Aid to artisans must to promote local products
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 17, 2022 -

THE total amount of Rs 1.5 crore earned through sale of handloom and handicraft items by Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) might not be an impressive figure but it is the saleability of at-least some indigenous products of the state that should encourage the artisans and cooperative societies to accord importance to the handloom and handicraft sector.

Moreover, the said amount accumulated within a span of only three months during exhibitions held in the state and other parts of the country indicates potential for the development of handloom and handicraft industry even if on a small scale.

In its bid to spur the sector, the Corporation is learnt to be planning to organise mega sale of handloom apparels it had procured from the state's weavers during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, next month, which underscores that the artisans needn't worry over marketing their products.

Indeed, MHHDCL has demonstrated that it wouldn't let down the artisans when it procured handloom and handicraft products after outbreak of the pandemic had forced closure of all the business outlets, and has had serious impact on weavers, artisans and their families.

While it is obvious that many of the handloom workers must have cut down on the scale of production due to shortage of raw materials and apprehension over limited marketing opportunities, the Corporation has done a commendable job by aiding the weavers in procuring the basic raw materials as well as collecting the finished products for use as raw materials to produce apparels for men, women and children at Manipur Apparel Garment Centre, Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

That the proposed exhibition cum sale of products completed during and after the pandemic-induced lockdown would feature over 1500 products of 48 different designs also indicates that the Corporation is ready to extend helping hands to those interested in venturing into the handloom sector, which has been the backbone of Manipur's economy since time immemorial.

Another commendable initiative of the Corporation is that it made travel arrangement for around 750 weavers and artisans to exhibit/sell their products in metropolitan cities as such exposure trips will definitely help in enhancing profile of the indigenous handloom and handicraft products in addition to providing a platform to showcase Manipuri culture and tradition beyond the state's boundary.

For ages, people of Manipur have fashioned their crafts in handloom production, deeply following the amazing wealth of prehistoric memories, legends, mythology and history.

Though the traditional looms made out of bamboo and wood materials had been replaced by electric powered machines in some urban pockets, in the villages the traditional looms continue to be used widely, thereby signifying that with some assistance from government institutions the local artisans could contribute immensely in improving the state's economy.

However, it is disheartening that the government's policy to aid the handloom producers in producing school uniform materials has not been fruitful as is evident from students attired in dresses made from non-local materials.

There is also doubt on whether or not the order issued by the government for its offices to use only locally produced curtains, table clothes, etc., has been complied with by the department heads.