There are 16 stalls put up including eight from Assam, six from Manipur, two from the National capital, Delhi, and other 44 stalls representing the Nagaland State at in the Urban Haat, Dimapur, The expo gives a glimpse into the diversity of the Northeast and beyond.
By Imna Lonchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Despite many from across the country converging in Dimapur for Nagaland’s very own “State Handloom Expo” which started on January 10, many of the participants have already pulled out of the Expo before wrapping up citing various reasons. The expo is to be closed a day prior to the scheduled January 23 as the later day falls on Sunday,
There are 16 stalls put up including eight from Assam, six from Manipur, two from the National capital, Delhi, and other 44 stalls representing the Nagaland State at in the Urban Haat, Dimapur, The expo gives a glimpse into the diversity of the Northeast and beyond. However, the much anticipated handloom expo being held on the theme “My Handloom, My Pride” was also marred by confusion when it was informed by the district administrations that entry(s) would be permitted after producing Covid vaccination certificates.
In an interaction with one of officials from the department of the Nagaland Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (NHHDCL), Dimapur, Chenithung Humtsoe, told this correspondent that apart from the other representatives from outside, the 44 stalls being put up from the different districts included from Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur, and the recently created district, Chumukedima.
On questioned about whether the department have followed the decorum as “announced” on COVID restrictions to be followed, the official maintained that while the visitors were very responsive yet lamented that medical team(s) should have partnered being a government initiated programme. He was in a positive note that the following three days in wrapping up the programme would be a fruitful one with support from the public.
Meanwhile, while visiting some of the stalls, an entrepreneur and a resident of Half Nagarjan, Dimapur, Kumzukikla Phom, shared about her till date income (s) and her experiences during the last very few days of the Expo.
She deals in Naga traditional souvenir badges, earrings, head gears, pen stands, mekhalas, Konyak bags, Phom skirts, Mufflers, waist coats and other traditional accessories.
Though she admitted that the sale towards was not upto her expectations, she showed her optimism by saying that in the following next day, she might introduce her products like last December when the same department had sponsored for displaying and selling her products.
Adding another attraction to the Expo tough lukewarm response was Chipikali weaving, Nuton Bosti, Dimapur, who sells assorted Naga traditional ornaments, baskets, Sumi earings, shawls and Daos (Machete) which was well received by some of the visitors. Imsurenla’s Handcraft Aid from Chantongya village, Mokokcung, was another stellar at one of the Nagaland’s stall who put an array of modern hand woven clothes with a touch of ethnicity rooting to the different villages from Ao community.
Another much talked about stall was from Manipur under the banner “M Bijenti Chum”. With arrays of Manipuri traditional Mekhalas and bags including school bags, M Jugindra Singh, when asked with the response from visitors said he is satisfied with his products being sold though not disclosing his day’s sale.
Panna Akshita Enterprise, a husband and wife duo business partners from Delhi have to be well appreciated for their enthusiasm in exchanging “cultures” through their stall which sells authentic Kashmere shawls, sweaters, and woolen trousers.
Nathan, the man behind the Akshita Enterprise Stall, and who was with his two daughters while sharing his grievances on basic amenities like toilets and water supply, however, was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the co-stall owners and the officials at the venue.
He said he would be looking forward for more such kind of expos in the northeast especially in Nagaland which according to him the people are so affable.
Nathan later told this correspondent that though his business till the second last day was not according to his expectations, yet, he and his families were “dumbstruck” to witness the talents of the Nagas where every evening through the musical evening being organized at venue every night The State Handloom Expo at Urban Haat, Dimapur, which starts from 10 am till 5 pm will wind up on Saturday