Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre
New Delhi, March 17:
'Whenever you visit Delhi, don't forget to step in the Manipur Panthoibi Emporium at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg which is showcasing the ethnic handloom and handicraft products of Manipur and telling to the visitors what the beautiful Manipur is about.' said Minister of Public Health Engineering, Tourism and Information, Govt of Manipur TN Haokip.
He made this appeal to the people of Manipur after he paid a visit to the emporium on June 12 last year.
Really, the Manipur Panthoibi Emporium at the heart of the Delhi metropolitan city has become an important spot in the national capital for introducing Manipur to the outsiders through its very detailed and refined handloom and handicraft products, designed with ethnic patterns.
The handloom and handicraft items displayed at the Emporium are highly in demand in the capital and overseas as well.
It attracts visitors and customers, which makes the staff and workers busy in supplying the needs and demands of the customers.
Manipur Panthoibi Emporium was set up in the year 1976 under the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd, a Govt of Manipur undertaking registered under Indian Companies Act 1956.W Nilamani, Managing Director who is currently in Delhi said the former Chief Secretary of Manipur Jelshyam Hauzel gave the name "Panthoibi" meaning "goddess of weaving".
Its head office is in Imphal and its outlets are in Delhi and Kolkata.
He stated that the emporium was set up with a mission to develop handloom and handicraft cottage industries of Manipur including loin-loom industry.
Secondly, to promote the finished products of weavers, artisans and craftsmen of Manipur in order to improve their financial and living conditions.
Talking about the products, he said that cotton and silk sarees, cotton bedsheets and the unique Moirang Phee are highly demanded handloom products.
Among the handicraft products, Kouna items like Kouna Phak (mat), Kouna mattress and Kouna cushion, Tupi (hat) and Murrah made of fine bamboo are highly in demand.
Moirang Phee and Kouna items got the highest demand.
He stated that promotional campaigns like trade fair, festivals, and exhibitions and advertisement were done to promote and communicate with the customers.
Regarding the future plan and prospect, he said that the Corporation had been in touch with the North Eastern Council for upgradation of the Panthoibi emporia under partnership.
Expansion of the market and opening a new outlet in Mumbai was in the process, he added.