Handloom expo and Handicrafts fair conclude
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 31 2021: Special Handloom Expo 2021 and Handicrafts Fair 2021 concluded today at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi.

Both the expo and the fair were inaugurated on January 18 and organised by Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd (MHHDCL) under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The closing programme was attended by E Jeeten, General Manager, MHHDCL; Harakanta Baro, Deputy Director, Weavers' Service Centre, Porompat; Y Jagyashori, Assistant Director, Handicrafts Service Centre, Imphal and Th Sunila, OSD, Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts as presidium members.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, E Jeeten said that all such fairs had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with recent improvement in the recovery rate and dwindling positive cases, the Ministry had announced that States with 'Urban Haat' can host such fair which resulted in the organising these two fairs.

He added that weavers and artisans of Manipur are really fortunate as Manipur is the only State in the North East that has an 'Urban Haat' .

Other States like Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland had requested the department to use the facility for organising fairs.

There is a long list of fair that will be held at this venue till March, 2021 and it will be very important for Manipuri stalls as there will be competition with stalls from other stalls, he added.

So all the artisans are requested to keep their products ready and display them regularly at the stalls.

E Jeeten added that it was very unfortunate that the number of applicants for State awards in handloom was halved this year.

The notification calling for applications for the award was released in June 2020 and the closing date was set in November.

The State award for Handicraft was started in 1978-79 and 400 people have received the award so far while 60 persons are getting the benefit of pension under the scheme.

However the Handloom State award was started only 2 or 3 years ago, he added.

He urged all the artisans and weavers to work harder and fight all sorts of negativity involved in the trade.

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