Handloom is second sector after agriculture in Manipur
Handloom is second sector after agriculture in Manipur Photo: Northeast Now

Handloom is the second largest sector after agriculture in Manipur in terms of providing employment and other livelihood means, according to the state association of handloom technologists Manipur(SAH-TEC).

Thus, Handloom is the fastest growing cottage industry in the state.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

The state has around 3 lakh weavers which is the highest concentration of weavers and also highest concentration on the possession of loom in the country, says S Bhubol, a key member in forming SAH-TEC.

The state also has 2.87 lakh looms. In short, around 6-7 lakh people are directly or indirectly involved in this sector.

Bhubol who primarily represents Shintha Handloom and Handicrafts, Manipur, a handloom production unit was speaking at the inaugural function of the SAH-TEC in Imphal on Friday.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

The event was also attended by former deputy manager of Manipur development society S Manaobi, former general manager L Dwijamani Singh of DIC Imphal West district of the state commerce and industries department, President K Indira Devi of Manipur apex handloom weavers & handicrafts artisans CS Ltd. The president Kh Surbala of SAH-TEC also present at the event.

In his key note address, Secretary of SAH-TEC Kh Roshan said that the organization was floated to ensure self employment in the handloom sector and also to form a common platform of all the stateโ€™s handloom technologists irrespective of employment status.

Many handloom technologists after passing out their respective courses could not find proper placement in the state due to lack of initiatives and governmentโ€™s policy.

Considering the necessity to address the grievances of the unemployed handloom technologists, the idea to set up an alternative way which might be represented by forming a body or association of these marginalized handloom technologists, comes into existence.

Indiaโ€™s population in 2011 is reported as 1210 million including 2.72 million of Manipur (sharing 0.22% of all India). The Handloom Census 2009-10 reported that Manipur has 2.04 lakh handloom workers (sharing 5.30% of all India) and 1.90 lakh loom (sharing 8.02% of all India ),government sources added.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]