Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17:
Ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival and with a view promote traditional Manipuri handloom products, an exhibition of Manipuri handloom products and designs has begun from today at GM Hall here.
Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi Singh inaugurated the exhibition aptly titled 'Kanglei Ningol Khudol' as chief guest.
The exhibition organised by Apunba Kanglei Sinnaibi Lupwould be held for one week.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commerce and Industries Minister said Manipuri women are born weavers and have been contributing their mite not just in supplementing the income of their families, but also in improving the financial condition of the State through weaving activities.
Manipuri womenfolk should be given encouragement in their weaving activities and this can be done simply by using of their products by the people, the Minister noted.
Director of Commerce and Industries Dhiraj Yumnam who attended the function as one of the guests of honour observed that two important things are required for empowering women.
These are knowledge and financial independence of the women, he said.
If the womenfolk have knowledge and awareness of their legal rights, no one would be able to subjugate them and if they are financially independent, then they would be able to utilise their power, Dhiraj explained.
Former MEELAL chief Ch Akaba, who was also among those who spoke on the occasion mooted that the people of Manipur should always purchase and use the traditional handloom products of 'our womenfolk' to encourage them.
"If we start giving such indigenous handloom products as gifts on the special occasion of Ningol Chakkouba, then the big businessmen would be automatically discouraged and ready to leave Manipur on their own volition, he said.
Former Deputy Director of Weaver Service Centre and Ministry of Textiles H Rajendra Singh and DSP (Traffic) L Birababu Singh also attended the inaugural function of the exhibition presided over by president of Apunba Kanglei Sinnaibi Lup president Th Gomti Leima.