8th National Handloom Day observed
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 07 2022: The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles celebrated the 8th National Handloom Day today at the City Convention Centre, Imphal.

During the occasion, chief guest of the function, Minister for Textiles, Commerce & Industry Nemcha Kipgen launched the Cluster Development Programme in Manipur.

While addressing the gathering, Nemcha Kipgen said that the Ministry of Textiles has taken up various initiatives for promotion and development of the handloom industry in the country.

She informed that under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), GoI has sanctioned 21 Cluster Development Programme (CDP) and one Mega Handloom Cluster in Imphal East, Manipur and one project of Craft Handloom Village at Moirang in Bishnupur district, she added.

The Minister continued that in these projects, 24 diploma holders in Handloom & Textile technology will be engaged as Cluster Development Executives and another 24 Textile Designers from NIFT or NID or reputed Design Institute as Textile Designers for a period of 3 years.

A total of 46897 handloom weavers will be covered in these projects within the project period of 3 years, she asserted.

Further, the Minister said that the State Government had initiated the Yam Scheme in 2018-19 and proposal for the scheme to continue till 2026-27 has been put forward.

The Loom Upgradation Scheme introduced in 2018 has provided a total of 6705 frame looms to 6705 weavers till 2021-22, she informed.

Reiterating on the importance of promoting unique handloom products, Minister Nemcha Kipgen said that the State Government has registered Wangkhei Phee, Shaphee Lanphee and Moirang Phee under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and 2014 .

She also informed that the Department is preparing for registration of more products under the GI Act.

During the occasion, State Awards were handed over to outstanding handloom weavers and handicraft artisans by the department in recognition of their contribution to handloom and handicrafts in the State.

In a show of encouragement, financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4.40 lakh were handed over to National and State Awardees for producing their award-winning items on a commercial scale.

Three Padma Shree awardees namely Mayengbam Muktamani, Lourembam Binodini and Konsam Ibomcha Singh were also felicitated and handed over with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a shawl each.

Chairman, Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Cooperation, Kh Ibomcha and Chairperson, Manipur Women Development Cooperation, Soraisam Kebi Devi also graced the occasion as president and guest of honour respectively.

The celebration was also attended by Director of Handloom & Textiles, Manipur K Lamlee Kamei and Joint Director Elangbam Jeeten among others.

Weavers' Service Centre (WSC), Imphal also observed the 8th Handloom Day at the conference hall of the centre located in Khurai Sajor Leikai today under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, Office of the Deputy Commissioner (Handicrafts).

The event was attended by Sheikh Noorul, MLA Kshetrigao; Dr K Sobita Devi, retd Director, Art & Culture, GoM and HK Baro, Deputy Director, Head of Office, WSC as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Towards the end, weavers were presented with Pehchan Card, SAMARTH training certificate, mudra loan as well as national and innovative awards.

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