State awards presented to Craftspersons
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 27 2014 : Presentation of State awards and subsidies under the schemes of modernisation of handicraft and assistance to individual artisans for the year 2013-14 was held today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

The awards presentation programme organised by Directorate of Commerce and Industries was held with Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Director (Comm & Ind) B John Tlangtinkhuma and Additional Director (Comm & Ind) V Tualthang as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.

Noting that inspite of being an industrially backward State Manipuri artisans have earned a reputation of being skilful craftspersons with over 4 lakh artisans involved in the trade, the highest in the North East region, Minister Govindas said the Commerce and Industries Department has proposed to the State Government for hiking cash amount of the State Award to Rs 30,000 from Rs 20,000 to encourage the State artisans.

Conveying that Guru Sishya Parampara Scheme sanctioned by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Govt of India has been launched in the State for which State Award winning senior artisans aged 60 years would be eligible to get monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000 till 85 years of age, he maintained that till date 68 veteran artisans have been covered by the scheme.

Exhorting the local artisans to adopt modern technology for enhancing handloom/handicraft production to meeting increasing demand in the domestic markets as well as export potential, Govindas highlighted that the Look East Policy would eventually mean arrival of more tourists whose interest would include purchasing the unique handloom and handicraft items of Manipur.

Delivering the key-note address, Officer in-charge (handicrafts) S Birendra Singh said the cash amount of the State Awards floated in the mid-70s has grown from Rs 1000 in the formative years to the present high of Rs 20,000 .

He also enumerated that the 2013-14 awards ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 20,000 include 10 craftspersons, 13 in the merit award category and 23 under the inspiration award.

Even though 90 percent of the local artisans belong to the economically unsound section of the society, Manipur has the highest number of craftspersons in the North Eastern region, maintained the officer in-charge.

Speaking at the occasion, Additional Director V Tualthang cited attractiveness factor for the huge demand of handloom and handicraft products of Manipur.

Stating that entire stock of handloom/handicraft items put on display in the State stall at the annual India International Trade Fairs get briskly sold out, Tualthang citing huge demand for Black Pottery products of Ukhrul district by foreigners said State artisans need not worry for marketability of their products.

Pointing out that Manipur handicraft items have been facing competition from some Asian countries like China and Thailand, he stressed on the need for the artisans to adopt modern technology and new machinery along with innovative products.

Comment