State observes 9th National Handloom Day
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 07 2023:
As done throughout the country, the National Handloom Day was observed across the state with the main function held at Apparel and Garment Making Centre at Lamboi Khongnangkhong on Monday.
Altogether 22 handloom clusters of different districts organised the national handloom day in grandeur.
Speaking at the observance as chief guest, handloom and textiles director Lamlee kamei pointed out that handloom is one profession which the women of the state have been carrying on since time immemorial.
During festivals and functions, women wear handloom products which add to their beauty.
Even with gold ornaments, a woman will not look beautiful in the absence of handloom products.
Handloom products are what make a woman beautiful, he added.
The director also pointed out the need to promote state's handloom products including indigenously made coloured towel (pureirom phadi) which were widely used in the early times but has almost ceased at present.
Lamlee Kamei also said that the state government had issued orders for using handloom products in government offices and institutions.
From the current year, government offices including the chief minister's office has started replacing the curtains, table cloths, sofa covers, cushion covers and other items of decoration in government offices with handlooms and handicrafts products made in the state.
The director also urged all to start using natural dyes extracted from certain flowers and tree seeds including Safflower (Kusumlei), Annatto tree (Ureirom) and sunflower.
The government has also initiated plans to plant these flowers and trees.
If these are used, the profession of natural dyeing taken up by the people of the state could be accelerated and the economy of the state improved.
Delivering the presidential speech, handloom and textiles joint director E Jiten said that after agriculture, the biggest sector in the state is handloom and handicrafts.
As such the national handloom day is an important day for the state, he maintained, adding that primary objective of observing the day is to improve condition of handloom weavers.
The silk saree made in the state which used to fetch around Rs 11-12,000 currently sells at Rs 23-24,000 per piece, he said and pointed out the need to identify the cause for rise in price of the product even when the government is providing subsidies to the weavers.
The event was also organised by handloom clusters of Imphal East, Ukhrul, Saikot, Kshetrigao, Heingang, Wangjing Tentha, Purul, Jiribam, Bishnupur, Khoupum, Moirang, Patsoi, Lamshang, Paomata, Nambol, Thoubal, Lilong, Wangoi, LM Block, Phungyar and Kamjong.
It may be mentioned that National Handloom Day is observed to honour the handloom weavers and recognises their role in the country's economy and culture.
The handloom industry in India has a rich cultural heritage.
This day presents a crucial opportunity to express appreciation and support towards the weavers who work tirelessly in order to create exquisite pieces of work.
The origin of National Handloom Day has its roots back in the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 .
The objective of the movement was to boycott British goods in favour of Indian-made products.
The official observance began in 2015 after the government of India designated August 7 as National Handloom Day.