HT Bureau
DIPHU, Aug 7: Under the initiative of the Handloom & Textiles department, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) celebrated the 10th National Handloom Day organised at Farmer’s Growth Centre, here on Wednesday.
The celebration witnessed the participation of individual weavers and departmental officials giving emphasis on the development and promotion of local weavers and handloom production.
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Attending as chief guest, the Chief Executive Member (CEM), KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang said that KAAC will soon set-up a weaving centre in all 26 Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) constituencies in both Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
The CEM said, “In order to solve unemployment issues and to generate self income among local women the KAAC has decided to set-up weaving centres in all 26 MAC constituencies. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has agreed to our proposal. If financial sanction is received then work will start to set-up the weaving centres.”
Ronghang emphasised that local products should be promoted and purchased.
Those coming from outside should be stopped from entering the market as they are not original and are duplicate products.
Executive Member (EM), in charge Handloom & Textiles, Madhuram Lekthe said the identity of the tribe or community depends on the dress and such traditional dresses are produced by weavers. The Handloom & Textiles is not a small department as assumed by others; it is a major working in helping the local weavers.
The EM mentioned said with 4 crores annual budget sanction is “too meager”. It cannot take up many schemes at a time due to shortage of funds. After visiting, many Handloom & Textiles offices are seen in pathetic condition.
The Handloom & Textiles office in Phuloni is in the worst condition and a boundary wall has been constructed. The offices in Howraghat and Langhin will be taken up next year.
The EM also announced to increase the stipend and honorarium of weavers. From this year the Handloom Award will be given. It will be given on the Karbi Anglong Day celebration on November 16, 17 and 18.
To preserve the patterns in Karbi traditional dresses a book ‘Tirim Amo’ – the legacy has been prepared.
Earlier, the district commissioner, Nirola Phangchopi in her speech said it is a great day for the Handloom & Textiles department as well as the weavers for getting to celebrate the National Handloom Day.
“Many consider that Handloom & Textiles is a very small department, but I could say that it is not a small department. This department has helped to promote weavers and handloom products. Women can support husbands in running the family by producing clothes and selling them. It has been able to raise the standard of local weavers,” the DC said and urged weavers to produce their own traditional items and to promote it. “Cotton clothes need emphasis. There is demand. Weavers should try to produce clothes and to popularise.”
KAAC, chairman, Raju Tisso; EM, KAAC, Rina Terangpi; MLAs Darsing Ronghang and Bidyasing Engleng; Member of Autonomous Council (MAC), Kadom Terangpi and Kache Rongpipi also attended the programme.
