Ethnic Handloom and Handicraft vie for attention at Regional Saras Fair
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11 2017: With one of the most important festivals of the State, Ningol Chakouba approaching fast, traditional handlooms and handicraft products are competing for attention at the 180 Self Help Group (SHG) stalls opened at the Regional Saras Fair which is currently underway at Iboyaima Shanglen, Palace Compound .

The fair organised by Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM), began from October 9 and will continue till October 18 .

Numerous SHGs under MSRLM and DRDA are selling various handloom and handicraft products, ranging from household products to intricate dresses and attires for women at the fair .

Apart from numerous SHGs of the State, two SHGs from Tamil Nadu and three from Uttar Pradesh are also taking part in the fair.

The organisers are also providing travelling allowances and daily allowances to the SHGs as a form of motivation .

Ethnic Handloom and Handicraft vie for attention at Regional Saras Fair

According to officials, MSRLM, under the State Government's RD and PR, is an implementing society of the National Rural Livelihood Mission .

The officials pointed out that MSRLM has taken up various projects at four blocks of the State, namely Tengnoupal, Machi, Imphal East-I Sawombung and Imphal East-II Keirao Bitra , till date.

Around 960, women only, SHGs have been established under MSRLM, to help improve the economical conditions of the people in the said blocks .

MSRLM currently covers around 10,000 households, the officials added .

It has helped establish 147 SHGs in Tengnoupal Block, 162 in Machi Block, 339 in Imphal East-I Sawombung Block and 305 SHGs in Imphal East-II Keirao Bitra Block .

MSRLM also sends its staff to provide capacity building training to the people and also gives Community Investment Funds to the SHGs, some reaching upto Rs 1,10,000 but this fund is provided according to the grade of the SHGs, they said .

The officials also stated that under the mission, the women are given ample opportunities to use their skills to earn and provide for their families .

The SHGs are normally formed by 10 to 15 women in the valley, but the number is relaxed for the hill areas.

A village level federation is formed by 10 SHGs and the funds provided to the SHGs are normally routed through the village level federations .

The officials also explained that SHGs which possess high grade, have received capacity training and have been approved for Micro Credit Plan, can also avail bank loans quite easily .

They also conveyed that competent and deserving SHGs will be selected from the fair and given proper awards and recognition.