Use our products call echoes on Handloom Day
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 07 2021: The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles has celebrated the 7th National Handloom Day at the conference Hall of the Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry at Manipur Secretariat, North Block, today.

During the celebration, Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry Thongam Biswajit Singh launched e-Texmanipur.

Addressing the function as chief guest, the Minister said that handloom and handicraft is an 'integral part of our society,' that touches each and every household of the State.

An e-Texmanipur will help bring all textile related activities under one electronic platform from the supply of machinery to marketing and sale of textile related products, he added.

The Directorate also felicitated Olympics silver medallist and Padmashree Awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu with a cash award of Rs 5 lakh.

In his brief speech, Biswajit appealed to the public to promote the handloom and textile sector by using 'our products' .

7th National Handloom Day

"We have already managed to list several of our traditional attires including Shaphee Lanphee, Moirang Phee, Wangkhei Phee under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Tag) and at the same time we are also in the process to get more GI tag for our traditional necklace 'Marei Pareng, Kouna products, Senga and Khamen Chatpa, etc which will help in preserving and identifying our unique traditional products," he said.

On the schemes undertaken by the Government to promote handloom and textile sector in the State, Biswajit said that the Department has introduced schemes like Delivery Scheme, Garment Fair, MEETAC in 2017, Yarn Supply Scheme, MANITEX, Loom Upgradation Scheme, E-Market, published a handloom coffee table and filmed a documentary on handloom among others.

The State Government is also planning to establish a Manipur Spinning Mill by consulting experts for successful operation, he added.

The Minister also emphasised the need to promote and help the artisans and weavers to generate employment in the State.

While congratulating Olympic medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, Biswajit said that Mirabai is a symbol of empowerment and courage and wished her more success.

Biswajit, on the other hand, appealed to all eligible people to take the Covid vaccine shot to defeat the pandemic.

Olympic silver medallist and Padmashri Saikhom Mirabai Chanu expressed happiness in attending the 7th National Handloom Day celebration.

Expressing gratitude to the vast number of weavers and artisans of the State, she said that it is because of their hard-work, talents and craftsmanship that Manipuris are able to promote and showcase its unique traditional dresses to the world.

She further urged the public to use 'our handloom products.' As a part of the celebration, five handicraft artisans and two handloom weavers were conferred Rs 1 lakh each along with citation and a shawl.

Financial support of Rs 4,40,000 each was also given to three others to promote their handloom and handicraft products.

The celebration was also attended by Commissioner TC&I RK Dinesh Singh, Director of Handlooms & Textiles, K Lamlee Kamei and Joint Director E Jeeten among others.

The Directorate also inspired ten other handicraft artisans and six handloom weavers with Rs 10,000 each for promoting the State handloom and handicraft.