The craft fair was launched by 44 Assam Rifles commandant colonel Pradeepkumar with a ribbon cutting and lamp lighting ceremony. The handicrafts included in the fair were in the form of cloth embroidery, cane and bamboo, wood carving and artistic weavings.

Speaking on the occasion, commandant colonel Pradeepkumar said that the main objective of the fair was to provide a central platform to the artisans to show their craftsmanship skills and identify the prospective buyers for their products to give boost to the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative of the government.

He said that the main objective was to generate awareness about the importance of the small scale handloom industry and to instil pride in the workmanship of handloom weavers and local artisans and to empower women.

The commandant also highlighted the contribution of handloom products to the socio-economic development of the country.

He urged the people of Tamenglong to become ‘vocal for local’ in order to re-awaken demands and to provide a lifeline to the local artisans and weavers who are struggling to survive amid  pandemic restrictions by using Handloom and Handicrafts as much as possible.