Workshop held to upskill local artisans on bamboo craft design

India EXIM Bank, Mumbai, in collaboration with Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) Guwahati, successfully conducted a 30-day training-cum-workshop programme on ‘Bamboo craft design development for 25 local artisans,’ at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), Chümoukedima.

DIMAPUR — India EXIM Bank, Mumbai, in collaboration with Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) Guwahati, successfully conducted a 30-day training-cum-workshop programme on ‘Bamboo craft design development for 25 local artisans,’ from May 30 to July 3 at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), Chümoukedima.

The valedictory function of the training-cum-workshop was held on July 7 at the NBRC conference Hall, with Taliwati Longchar, Jt. Director, MSME, Govt. of India, as the guest of honour, an update stated.

In his address, the guest of honour stressed on the need for continued skill up-grade of the craftsmen and improvement in product design with application of innovative ideas and approaches to ensure that the craftsmen remain competitive in the supply and demand chain. Longchar also emphasised on the importance of product and design patent for necessary legal protection.

The MSME official went on to highlight the various service facilities and schemes, especially under the Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, for entrepreneurs and artisan clusters. 

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He further apprised the participants on some critical challenges faced by local entrepreneurs in Nagaland, such as erratic power supply, institutional infrastructure and services, especially inaccessibility of credit services for availing start-up capital support from financial institutions.  However, as a remedy to address this issue, the state government has amended SARFAESI Act in the state, Longchar informed.

Sandhya Arekar of India EXIM bank, explained about the importance of the training and workshop as a way forward step taken by the bank to build quality craftsmanship of the artisans in the state of Nagaland.

According to Arekar, the programme would serve as a starting point towards building up a pool of local skilled craftsmen who would eventually be able to produce high quality craft items, which would be at par even at the international market platform.

She also impressed the local craft artisans on the need to be educated about digital online marketing platforms and asked the artisans and entrepreneurs to stay relevant with the technology that provides a versatile platform for marketing of their products.

Runoyhu Keppen, who spoke on behalf of the trainee artisans, shared about the enriching experiences and the set of skills they learnt together during the course of training.

While extending gratitude to the organisers for the support, he also acknowledged the trainers, Ruovilhoukhu and Rokolhoukho Thorie, for all the technical inputs and hand holding support, and others for attending to all their needs and requirements.

Participation and appreciation certificates were awarded and distributed to all the participants.

Earlier, Dy. Director RGVN Guwahati, Jaideep Das, delivered the welcome address and presented brief account of the training-cum-workshop.

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