Handicrafts cluster projects programme organised in Manipur

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 4 (EMN): A combined programme of 10 Handicrafts Cluster Projects (Technical Training Programme, Integrated Design Development Project and Design Development Workshop) was held in Imphal on Wednesday.
Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Deputy Chairman S Rajen Singh of Manipur State Planning Board, Textiles, Commerce & Industry Principal Secretary P Vaiphei and Director Handlooms & Textiles, Manipur and Managing Director (Manipur Handlooms & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. K Lamlee Kamei attended the formal inaugural function of the day’s workshop.
Addressing on the function which was attended by a number of local artisans, Minister Biswajit urged government officials to ensure that benefits of all government schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.
He said handicraft and handloom sector helps in employment generation in the State, however, there are certain factors including lack of awareness, capital and exposure to new and modern technologies which are slowing the sector down.
Expressing the need to properly educate and mobilise the artisans in order to empower them so that they may increase their productivity. He said the main objective of the training is to achieve socio-economic empowerment of the artisans. The artisans should be sincere in their work for the scheme to succeed, he added.
Biswajit Singh also explained the need to educate the artisans of the various schemes of the government for their welfare. Explaining the need to create awareness of government schemes among the public, he said it is the responsibility of the government and its officials to educate all artisans and intended beneficiaries about the schemes. He further stated that officials of the department should ensure that the artisans get the full benefits of the training.
Vaiphei said Manipur has a very rich handloom and handicrafts tradition. He said there is a huge percentage of family/household involvement in handloom and handicraft sector, particularly in rural areas.
Stating that many of the people involved in these sectors do so as part of their tradition, he continued because of the fact that these are part of our tradition it is extremely important for us to promote it.
Our handloom is our identity, he said adding that, it tells about who we are before we speak.
He continued that from a distance people can recognise us from our dress. He also said that when somebody visits our homes and villages, the handicrafts which are on display at our homes and villages tell a lot about our background, culture, history and tradition, which is extremely important.
Managing Director (Manipur Handlooms & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. K Lamlee Kamei announced a toll free helpline No. 18002120403 of the department through which anyone can make enquiries regarding Handloom and Handicrafts Delivery Scheme).
One shot dead: Unidentified gunmen shot dead one person in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Wednesday. According to police sources, the dead body was recovered from a place located in between Heirangoithong Bridge to Manipur University campus route under Singjamei police station. The incident was reported around 8am.The body bore 3 bullet marks. On hearing the news, a team of police accompanied by senior officers rushed to the spot and evacuated the body to RIMS hospital mortuary for autopsy. Meanwhile reports available here identified the deceased as one Lal Babu Singh (50) who has been doing fermented fish business in Imphal since the last 10 years and presently staying at Mantripukhuri near Imphal. The reason behind the day;s incident is yet to be established. A case has also been registered at Singjamei police station to take up necessary investigations,sources said.