Mela concludes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 26 2024: The State Handloom Expo (Hatkharga Mela) which kicked off on August 13 at the Urban Haat in Nilakuthi, Imphal East concluded today.

The expo saw as many as 60 stalls opened by artisans of handloom and handicraft products.

The expo was organised by the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHH- DC) Limited and sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handloom), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

At the closing event, General Manager (Admin) of MHHDC Ltd, Th Basanta underscored the importance of encouraging artisans in Manipur and the need for diversification of the products.

He said the artisans need to diversify their products and put more focus on producing home furnishing items.

He said the weavers and artisans should get 'handloom mark' for their products for successful promotion and benefits of a variety of Government schemes.

Artisans without handloom mark on their products would not be able to avail benefits of Government schemes, he added.

The handloom mark is the Government of India's initiative to provide a collective identity to the handloom products.

Th Basanta stressed that the handloom and handicraft products the State artisans are producing are of high quality, however, they are facing difficulties in promoting and selling the products in the market.

The Government, he said, is putting in efforts to promote the products and provide market opportunity to the artisans.

There has already been an instruction to employees of Government institutions and offices to wear handloom products, he added.

Th Basanta also stressed that the State artisans, weavers should diversify their products to be able to find more markets.

He suggested that the artisans may focus on making home furnishing items which would earn them more income.

The artisans may approach the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) Limited for advice on products and design.

Th Basanta further informed that in future handloom melas and expo, the Corporation would screen the artisans and their products and allow only the verified ones through lottery system.

Priyadarshini Daripa, Deputy Director & Head of Department of Weavers Services Centre and National Awardee (Design) Ksh Indira Devi attended the event.

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