Expressing gratitude to the vast number of weavers and artisans of the state, Mirabai Chanu 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 world.
TFM Desk
As in other parts of the country, Manipur also observed the 7th National Handloom Day on Saturday. The Directorate of Handloom & Textiles celebrated the day at the conference hall of the Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry at Manipur Secretariat, North Block, Imphal.
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. The directorate also inspired ten other handicrafts artisans and six handloom weavers with consolation prize of Rs 10,000 each for their contribution in the promotion of handloom and handicrafts.
As part of the day, minister of textiles, commerce & industry Thongam Biswajit Singh launched e-Texmanipur. He said that handloom and handicraft are an integral part of our society, touching each and every household of the state. The 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, said the official source.
The directorate also felicitated Olympics silver medallist and Padmashree awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. In his speech, minister Biswajit appealed to the public to promote our handloom and textile sector by using our traditional handloom products. He said we have already managed to list several of our traditional attires including Shaphee Lanphee, Moirang Phee, Wangkhei Phee under Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Tag) and at the same time we are also in the process to get more GI tag for our traditional necklace ‘Marei Pareng’, Kouna Products, Senga and Khamen Chatpa, etc which will help in preserving and identifying our unique traditional products.
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% subsidy, a 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. The establishment of Manipur Spinning Mill is now under active planning with experts for successful operation.
He also emphasized 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 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 also said that Mirabai would soon be announced as a brand ambassador of handloom of the state. She was also handed over a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh by the minister. The cash reward was given by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. He further wished Mirabai success in her future endeavours.
Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu expressed her happiness in attending the 7th National Handloom Day celebration, saying that being a sports person 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 world. She further urged the public to use our handloom products and promote our traditional attire.
The celebration was also attended by commissioner (T, C&I) RK Dinesh Singh, director of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur K Lamlee Kamei, joint director E Jeeten amongst others.
National Handloom Day is being observed 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 the celebration of the National Handloom Day.