Mirabai's village to have mega handloom cluster
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 20 2021: Union minister of commerce & industry, CAF & PD and textiles, Piyush Goyal on Saturday announced setting up of a mega handloom cluster at a cost of Rs 30 crore at Olympic silver medallist Saikohm Mirabai Chanu's native village, Nongpok Kakching in Imphal East district.

The Union minister, who is on his two-day maiden visit to Ma-nipur, also announced handloom and handicraft village at Moirang in Bishnupur district where the INA hoisted the tricolour for the first time in Indian soil.

It will pay befitting tribute to the freedom fighters, particularly to the soldiers of the INA, he said.

Minister Piyush Goyal made the announcement during his speech after inauguration of a Thematic Exhibition of Crafts organised jointly by Development Commissioner (Handicraft) Manipur and Union Ministry of Textiles at City Convention Centre, here on Saturday as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration.

Goyal said that his ministry has decided to set up the mega handloom cluster at Nongpok Kakching in dedication to Mirabai's contribution for the nation coupled with Manipur's role in production of handloom and handicraft items in the country.

"India is proud of Mirabai Chanu.

She brought laurels to the nation.

She is the jewel not only for the northeast region but also for India," he said.

The Ministry is setting up the mega cluster under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), the union minister added.

The union minister also expressed his desire for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lay the foundation stone of the project.

Talking about the potential of the country in textile production, Goyal said that Manipur's textile product is well known not only in the country but also all around the globe.

Keeping this in mind, the ministry is working hard for the development of the sector so that it contributes to making India a superpower country, he mentioned.

The Union minister continued that to realise the dream of making the country a global power, a joint venture of all sectors is a must and the country is keeping full confidence on the workers, farmers and other sections of the society in realising the dream.

Piyush Goyal congratulated the state government for making great strides in the handloom and handicraft sector in the past four and half years.

Stating that the country is yet to fully explore Manipur's handloom and handicraft potential, the Union minister said that products of the state may have great demands at the global market.

In this regard, he assured that the Ministry of Textiles would extend all possible assistance in skill development, value addition, packaging, design, brand imaging, etc, if needed.

The Union Minister also mentioned the scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage of the state that have great potential to attract a large number of tourists.

He also noted the avenues which can be explored in horticulture, sericulture and other sectors in the state, stating that he wishes to attend the Kachai Lemon Festival someday.

Addressing the gathering, chief minister N Biren said that Manipur's handloom and handicraft products are unique and they have the potential to occupy a special place in the global market.

Stating that Manipur has topped the list of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registration among the north-eastern states, he also recounted that Prime Minister Modi recently congratulated the state through a Twitter post for creating one lakh jobs in the sector.

The chief minister also said that it is a matter of great pride that the state has many national awardees in the handloom and handicraft sector.

The state government has also left no stone unturned in getting GI tag for indigenous motives like 'Saphee Lanphee'.

N Biren said that womenfolk are working hard and they have contributed immensely in enhancing the state's economy.

He also stated that the rural economy has been growing very fast in the state in the past four and half years.

To make further improvement, the CM said that the state government is ever ready to help the artisans, weavers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs through Start Up and bank loans.

On the other hand, textiles, commerce and industries minister Thongam Biswajit expressed gratitude to Union minister Piyush Goyal for his support and initiatives in improving the handloom and textile sector in the state.

Highlighting that Manipur has the highest concentration of looms in the entire country, Biswajit said that Manipur has around 2.11 lakh looms and around 2.12 weavers.

He added that while the population of weavers is shrinking in almost every other state in the country, their population is increasing in Manipur.

Biswajit further highlighted several schemes undertaken by the present government in the state.

Deliberating on the Hand-loom and Handicraft Delivery Scheme, the minister said that this scheme saves time and enhances productivity of the weavers.

He also highlighted the Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans & Craftsmen (MEETAC), Yarn Pass-book, MANITEX, among others.

He pointed out that under the Loom Up-gradation Scheme, till 2019 altogether 4465 looms have been distributed.

Th Biswajit also apprised the Union minister that the border town of Moreh has today become an important location as it will act as the country's gate-way to the South Asian countries.

Earlier, the Union minister along with CM Biren and other ministers opened the thematic exhibition of crafts.

He also handed over a cheque of Rs 20 lakh to Mirabai Chanu, the handloom brand ambassador of Manipur, from the side of Union Ministry of Textile.

Mother of Mirabai, Saik-hom Tombi Leima received the cheque on behalf of her daughter.

During the function, Piyush Goyal also released a short film titled, 'Saikhom Mirabai Chanu' besides launching the 100 Motivation Camps in Handloom and Handicraft.

The Union minister further distributed tool kits, pehchan cards, Manipur yarn cards, loom certificates and weaver mudra loan to select weavers of the state.

Forest and environment minister Awangbow Newmai, MPs Chhaya Verma, Subhash Baheria and Dola Sen, Union textiles secretary Upendra Prasad Singh, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and secretary (Textiles) Michael Achom also attended the function.

Before this, the Union minister attended the first Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas to mark the celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth anniversary at Kalyan Ashram in Imphal.

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