UDHAHCoF - One week Exhibition/mela 2011 at Ukhrul
- Ukhrul District Handloom and Handicraft Co-op. Federation, Ukhrul -

Awung Raiping *

If at all any constructive event has taken place in the insurgency ridden town of Ukhrul- over the past few days, then it's the one week exhibition/ Mela 2011 and Wung-themsak Award Day 2011 which started on 21st and spanned till 25th April.

Propelled by the hardworking organizing committee of The Ukhrul District Handloom and Handicraft Co-op. Federation, Ukhrul (UDHAHCoF), the Phungreitang Handloom Cluster, Ukhrul and the District Industries Centre, Ukhrul- the buildup to the event was fuelled with outmost support from different organizations and the townsmen.

Among others, the event was met with support from Village Headmen, Departmental officers, filmmakers, musicians and 33 actors (Visiting in 6 groups), who performed songs and acts for the enthusiastic crowds. Spearheaded by the UDHAHCoF and sponsored by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handloom, Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India; the event drew many dignitaries.

The first day got on to a roll with a welcoming song from the Federation Choir and an opening prayer by RVS. Phungnang (Headman Somdal Village). Mr. I. Pamei, IAS (Director of Commerce and Industries, Imphal), graced the event as the Chief Guest. Mrs. Janet Hungyo (Advisor, UDHAHCoF) gave a spirited welcome speech followed by presentation from S. Raiping (Convenor, UDHAHCoF).

Time for keynote and Presidential speech were given to L. Ngaitheng (G.M, DIC Ukhrul) and M Rajen Sing (OSD Handloom), respectively.

Principal Secretary O Nabakishore inspecting a stall on the second day of the Handloom Mela at Ukhrul

A final grand speech summed the formal session but the most exciting part of the day was the grandiose traditional handloom and handicrafts Artistic textile and talent display by different participants. It left the crowds mesmerized and wanting for more. The UDHAHCoF is a fairly young organization by any standard; established on 21st January 2001, but it is soon becoming a household name.

It has become a reckoning force for raising the standard of living among weavers and artisans. It helps them brings their dream closer to realization. The organization had seen the light of the day even outside their home turf. It vision and contribution to revive the traditional wear; taking the traditional wear and making it fashionable into today's world; blending modern attire with traditional touch has won many admirers even in mainland India.

To boost to its ever increasing popularity, UDHAHCoF has been awarded the North Eastern Golden personality Award and Gold Medal, 2011, the Mahila Sree and Gold Medal Award, 2011, Best Women Personality of India Award, 2011and Manipur State Best Co-Operative Society (Hills) 2007-08, to name just few. It has also participated in many international and national trade fares. As a stamp of their ever widening horizon towards the west, UDHAHCoF has opened shops in Imphal and lately in Delhi.

The second day (22nd April 2011) was a witness to the ever widening prospects and visions of UDHAHCoF. The day saw the inauguration of a Beauty parlor, Computer Training centre by Smt. Sila Konghay, President, Tangkhul Shanao Long. It was also an inauguration day for the Raw material Bank Office, which in the course of time may become a life changing lifeline for many artisans, who doesn't have enough money to buy materials for their crafts and nurture their talents.

The day ended with Chief Guest- led inspection to various UDHAHCoF's branch like- Raw material Bank, training cum productive centre, computer training centre, readymade garment/ embroidery training centre and sales store at phungreitang.

The final day of the event was moderated by Valleyrose Hungyo (Advisor to UDHAHCoF). The day began with a song by the federation choir followed by the inauguration of readymade garment and embroidery training centre, Ukhrul by the chief Guest K. Indramani, general manager, Manipur State Cooperative Bank.

Wung themsak Award was given to outstanding workers, designers and weavers for her/his excellence in service and creativity. After a brief speech from the chief guest and words of thanks from Mr. Minaketan Singh, Manager, MSCB, the highlight to the day's event was the Handloom and Handicraft artistic textile and talent Display.

The panel of judges declared the best performance and awarded for display of the handloom and handicraft. Gift were distributed to the deserved orphans, selected from the villages. The event was closed with another song from the federation choir.

To what seems nothing less than a complex functionary organization with 75 society units, 75 self help groups, 7 departments and 8940 members- the federation is a poised and organized one. The involvement of artisans from different villages aspects of life, underlined a unifying theme.

UDHAHCoF successfully organized an unparalleled of such event in recent times with mass support and participation. It's an ever burgeoning stream of movement that includes people from different walks of life- for just more than an artistic cause but for uplifting the way of living itself. The most positive outcome of this event is that it's just a start; it will come back bigger next year.