7th National Handloom Day celebrated

Imphal, August 07, 2021

7th National Handloom Day celebrated at Secretariat North Block, Imphal on August 07, 2021

Our traditional Saphee Lanphee under Geographical indication and process Our traditional Necklace "Marei" for Gi tagging- Minister Th Biswajit

The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles celebrated the 7th National Handloom Day today at the conference Hall of Minister Textiles, Commerce & Industries at Secretariat North Block, Imphal.

As part of the day, Chief Guest of the celebration, Minister Textiles, Commerce & Industries Thongam Biswajit Singh launched the e-Texmanipur. This will help bring all textile related activities under one electronic platform from the supply of machinery to marketing and sale of textile related products. The directorate also felicitated Olympic Silver Medallist and Padmashree Awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu with a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for her feat.

In his brief speech, Minister Biswajit appealed to the public to promote our handloom sector by using our traditional handloom products. He said we have already managed to list several of our traditional attires including Saphee lanphee under Geographical Indication and at the same time we are also in the process to get GI tagging for our traditional necklace ‘Marei’. GI tagging will help in preserving and identifying our unique traditional attires.

Speaking briefly on the schemes undertaken by the government to promote handloom in the State, Shri Biswajit said that in support of handloom weavers, certain schemes like Delivery Scheme, Garment Fair, MEETAC, 2018 have been launched by the present government.

He said the government has also inaugurated the Urban Haat, Yarn Supply Scheme of 20% subsidy, documentary film on handloom, Outreach to remote village, MANITEX, loom upgradation Scheme, Manipur Textile Processing Institute, Revival of Joint Director in Handlooms & Textiles, E-Market. He continued that a Coffee Table book has also been released and an e-Commerce platform of PaonaMart.Com launched.

We should promote and help our artisans and weavers to help in employment generation in the State as handloom is second only to agriculture as a source of livelihood in the State. Handloom and handicraft has become an integral part of our society, touching each and every household of the State, he said.

7th National Handloom Day celebrated at Secretariat North Block, Imphal on August 07, 2021

Congratulating Olympic Silver Medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on her recent feat at the Tokyo Olympics, Biswajit said that Mirabai has become a symbol of empowerment and courage for our young girls. He further wished Mirabai success in her future endeavours. Biswajit also appealed to all those eligible to take the COVID vaccine which is being provided free of cost under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Chief Minister, so that we can all jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Olympic silver medallist and Padmashri awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu expressing happiness in attending the National Handloom Day celebration, said that being a sportsperson wearing traditional attire in itself is a blessing. Expressing gratitude to the vast number of weavers and artisans of the state, she said that it is because of their hard-work, talents and craftsmanship that we are able to promote and showcase our unique traditional dresses to the outside world.

She further urged the public to use our handloom products and promote our traditional attire. As part of the celebration the State Award for Handloom and Handicrafts were also distributed. State Awards to outstanding five Handicrafts Artisans and two Handloom Weavers were conferred with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each. Merit awards to six Handicrafts Artisans and two Handloom weavers with cash prize of Rs 50,000 each were also conferred. Financial awards of Rs.4,40,000 each were also given to three awardees.

Today’s celebration was also attended by Commissioner TC&I RK.Dinesh Singh, Director TC&I Lamlee Kamei, Jt. Director E Jiten among others. The National Handloom Day is being celebrated in commemoration of the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement and passage of the Boycott Resolution to boycott the Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt on August 7, 1905 in a massive meeting held in the Calcutta Town Hall. The Ministry of Textiles considers this occasion as a symbolic date for celebration of the National Handloom Day.

The Directorate also inspired 10 other Handicrafts Artisans and 6 Handloom Weavers with cash prizes for their contribution in the promotion of handloom and handicrafts.