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Dimapur, Feb.10 (EMN): Sangita Jindal, chairperson of the JSW Foundation of the JSW Group, one of India’s leading business conglomerates, paid a one-day visit to Dimapur on Monday. Jindal and her team visited Tsithrongse village and the Heirloom Naga centre in Sovima, Dimapur.
Jindal, who oversees the social development projects in the JSW Group, told Eastern Mirror that she decided to visit the state, especially Heirloom Naga after it won the JSW prize for Contemporary Craftsmanship in 2019.
“There are a lot of crafts but it does not get much recognition; we want to enhance the craft to higher circles and make it more contemporary,” said Jindal.
Jindal said that after Jesmina Zeilang, founder and director of Heirloom Naga, showcased her crafts and products last year, she came to know of the rich Naga culture. The JSW prize for Contemporary Craftsmanship is a prize that looks for individuals, organisations, schools or even entire villages that are ‘contributing to a new way of craftsmanship’ in the country.
The team that visited Dimapur also included the editor of Architect Digest, Greg Foster, who expressed appreciation of the work and craftsmanship found in Nagaland.
“India is full of surprises and Nagaland is one of them,” said Foster.
Jindal also inaugurated the women weavers’ hostel at the Heirloom Naga centre.
According to Zeilang, Jindal is deeply committed to helping women and making their lives better, especially in Nagaland.
“She even wants to open a BPO solely for women in Nagaland,” informed Zeilang.
What started as a small, backyard project employing a single Naga weaver, Heirloom Naga today empowers and provides employment to almost 450 Naga women. Based in Dimapur, Zeliang has taken the textiles woven by Heirloom Naga to different parts of the world, which has made them a part of the international couture as well.