Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur celebrated the 6th National Handloom Day on this 7th August of 2020
Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur celebrated the 6th National Handloom Day on this 7th August of 2020 in the conference hall of Manipur Secretariat, South Block, Imphal at 11:00 a.m. with Shri Th. Biswajit Singh, Hon’ble Minister (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Manipur as Chief Guest, Shri S. Rajen Singh, Hon’ble Chairman, Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd as President and Shri Devesh Deval, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Govt. of Manipur as Guest of Honour.
Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts, a Coffee Table Book published in association with Indian Express Group was released. The book has different photos with brief history on traditional dresses & costume of the respective communities of Manipur. A Guideline for Export Marketing, Procedures and Documentation was also released.
On this day, State Awards to outstanding 3 weavers and 5 artisans were conferred with cash award of Rs.1.00 lakh each for 2019-20. Merit Awards to 3 weavers and 15 artisans with cash award of Rs.0.50 lakh each were also conferred. Consolation award to 5 weavers @Rs.10,000/- each was also conferred as a token appreciation to their interest. Under Scheme for Awardees, financial assistance @ Rs.4.40 lakh each was also distributed to 2 State Awardees of 2018-19 for producing their award winning products on commercial scale.
While extending welcome address, Commissioner cum Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Govt. of Manipur stated that 6th National Handloom Day 2020 has been celebrated with a limited invitees due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is meaningful that State Awards for 2019-20 could be conferred to the outstanding weavers & artisans together with Merit and Consolation Awards.
He also appraised that the Department has produced 1.82 lakh face masks, delivered 5989 kg of yarn to 2247 weavers at the subsidized rate of 20% on the cost of mill gate and purchased 25177 Nos. of handloom & handicrafts products during lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Guest recalled that the celebration of National Handloom Day was initiated by the Ministry of Textiles in 2015 to promote handlooms. The first National Handloom Day was celebrated with Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India as the Chief Guest at Chennai in 2015.
President stated that the celebration of the National Handloom Day is to boost the confidence of the handloom weavers and promotion of handlooms.
Director of Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur proposed vote of thanks.