People of Manipur are called upon to give local-made handlooms and handicraft items as Ningol Chakouba gifts instead of buying imported items, as 'My Handloom and My Pride' - Ningol Chakouba Handloom Exhibition 2022 - opened in Imphal West Monday.
"People of the state should also extend their cooperation in promoting local-made handloom and handicraft items as it would help in improving the economy of the state as well... People should give local-made handlooms and handicraft items as Ningol Chakouba gifts instead of buying imported items," Wangkhei AC MLA Arun Thangjam said.
Thangjam was speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition, which is being held under the theme ‘My Handloom and Pride’ at GM Hall in Imphal Monday. Organised by Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans' CS Ltd, it will be opened till October 26.
The MLA also pointed out the lack of proper market strategies as one of the major hurdles for weavers and artisans of Manipur.
"Manipur has high potential in handloom and handicraft. It is the second largest employment generation sector of Manipur. However, lack of proper market strategies is one of the major hurdles of the weavers and artisans of the state," Thangjam said.
Thanjam said the state government has initiated various market strategies to promote handloom and handicraft products of the state.
"The government decided to start using locally made handloom and handicraft products in government offices and as school uniforms etc." he said.
He also hinted at setting up of permanent exhibition centres which were proposed by people into handloom and handicraft sectors.
The programme was also attended by deputy director and head of office of Weavers Service Centre, Porompat Imphal East, HK Baro; project manager (Handloom) of district handlooms and textiles, Imphal East, Th ibemcha Devi; officer in-charge marketing of National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd Imphal, Y Shantikumar Singh and president of Handloom Promotion Council, Chingtam Luwang as guests of honours and special invitee respectively.
