Process underway to get GI tag for 'Modi Gamsha': Ibohal
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 13 2022: Weavers' Service Centre assistant director (weaving) M Ibohal informed that the state government is in the process of getting the GI tag for Modi Gamsha, a traditional stole (Lengyan) made in the design of Leirum Phi.

The director gave the statement as chief guest during the closing ceremony of State Handloom Expo, a 14-day event organised under National Handloom Development Programme by Manipur Apex Handloom and Handicrafts Artisan Cooperative Society Limited under the aegis of Development Commissioner of Handloom, ministry of textiles, held at Manipur Public Library Ground, here on Wednesday.

In his address, Ibohal recalled that there were vehement condemnations from different quarters after a textile mill in Uttar Pradesh mass produced the traditional Leirum scarf as Modi Gamsha taking cue from the scarf worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The state government intervened swiftly and urged the UP government to ban production of the scarf.

At the same time, the government will soon apply for GI tag for Modi Gamsha so that the intellectual property rights of the product, which has cultural and traditional value to the state and its people, is maintained.

He, however, did not clarify whether the GI tag application will be filed under the name Modi Gamsha or the local name.

He further said that the government is also taking up measures to ban usage of powerloom in weaving handloom products of the state.

Moreover, the department is in the process of designing a logo called handloom mark, which will be embossed on every handloom product manufactured by registered weavers to show authenticity of the products, he revealed, while urging the unregistered weavers for formal enrolment with the Weavers' Service Centre.

On the programme, Ibohal said that the expo was organised as part of domestic marketing promotion campaign and there are reports of high sale volume during the event.

Organising such expo not only provides marketing opportunity to weavers but also an opportunity to interact between customers and weavers, which will help in understanding public demand for quality control of future products, he added.

Manipur Apex Handloom and Handicrafts Artisan CS Ltd vice-president S Bhubol was the functional president of the closing ceremony, which was also attended by AWAS managing director Ch Mandakini and NABARD Imphal DDM Kiran Thokchom as guests of honour.

A sale volume of around Rs 2.45 crore through 70 stalls was recorded during the 14-day long event.

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