In a move to attain the goal of self-employment and inclusive development and economic empowerment to traditional artisans/craftsman of the State as well providing market place for the finished products, Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans/Craftsman will be launched very soon in Manipur.
Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said this while speaking at the fourth National Handloom Day celebration held under the aegis of Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Manipur in Imphal on Tuesday.
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Chairman of Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd S Rajen Singh, vice chairman, MIDA O Lukhoi Singh, MLA S Subhaschandra Singh, Principal Secretary (Textiles,Commerce and Industry) P Vaiphei, director, Handlooms & Textiles K Lamlee Kamei were also present on the occasion.
Highlighting the significance of observing the National Handloom Day which commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, Minister Biswajit said the day is observed to promote the products of the weavers, artisans and craftsman of the State.
Informing that there are 3.09 lakh weavers in the State, he announced that the Central Government will start giving integrated cluster scheme from this year, acknowledging the activities of the weavers.
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Stating that central schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were launched to empower the women, he assured that the handloom industry will not be declined with the launch of powerloom because both are different items.
Appealing to promote natural dye in the State to boost income, he also announced that the Government will give design and excellence awards from next year.
Besides launching a logo of Handloom and Handicrafts, a reference book ‘Manipur Handloom Development Programme’ and a book authored by Mutua Bahadur were also released in the day’s function.
Three national awardees were also honoured with cash prize of Rs 4.40 lakhs each while two state and two merit awardees were given Rs one lakh each and Rs 50,000 each respectively.
A documentary film ‘Chara Lyong – Looms & Life’ was also released and screened during the function.