mphal (DIPR): The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles celebrated the 7th National Handloom Day on Saturday at the conference Hall of the Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry at Manipur Secretariat, North Block.
As part of the observance, Chief Guest of the celebration, Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry Thongam Biswajit Singh launched the e-Texmanipur. He said that handloom and handicraft is an integral part of our society, touching each and every household of the State. E-Texmanipur 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 Olympics Silver Medallist and Padmashree Awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
As part of the observance, Chief Guest of the celebration, Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry Thongam Biswajit Singh launched the e-Texmanipur. He said that handloom and handicraft is an integral part of our society, touching each and every household of the State. E-Texmanipur 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 Olympics Silver Medallist and Padmashree Awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.
Speaking briefly on the schemes undertaken by the Government to promote handloom and textile sector in the State, Biswajit said that in support of handloom weavers, the Department introduced many new schemes, like, Delivery Scheme, Garment Fair, MEETAC in 2017, Inaugurated Urban Haat, Yarn Supply Scheme of 20 percent subsidy, Documentary Film on handloom, Outreach to remote village, MANITEX, Loom Upgradation Scheme in 2018, Vegetable dyeing, E-Market in 2019 and publication of handloom Coffee Table, E-Commerce in 2021. Establishment of Manipur Spinning Mill is now under active planning with experts for successful operation.
He also emphasised that we should promote and help our artisans and weavers to generate employment in the State as handloom is second only to agriculture in terms of livelihood in the State. While Congratulating Olympic Silver Medallist Padmashri 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 Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, so that we can all jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu while expressing her happiness in attending the 7th 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, State Awards to five Handicrafts Artisans and two Handloom Weavers were conferred with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each along with citation and a shawl. Merit Award and Inspiration/consolation will be distributed after the present curfew is lifted. Financial support of Rs.4,40,000 each were also given to three State Awardees to promote their products
Today’s celebration was also attended by Commissioner T,C&I RK.Dinesh Singh, IAS, Director of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur K. Lamlee Kamei, Jt. Director E Jeeten among others.
The National Handloom Day is 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 ten other Handicrafts Artisans and six Handloom Weavers with consolation prize of Rs 10000 each for their contribution in the promotion of handloom and handicrafts.
