National Handloom Day: Amenba urges people to utilise weavers’ service centre

Dimapur, August 7 : The State Industries and Commerce Department has 10 projects of Block Level Cluster Development in pipeline for various districts of Nagaland (if approved by the central government) and are under active consideration of the central government.

This was stated by the chief guest Amenba Yaden, Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce at the second National Handloom Day commemoration observed at Auditorium of Institute for Children Ministry Toluvi Dimapur on Sunday.
Nagaland is the third state in the Northeast region to have the Weavers Service Centre and retired Director Industries & Commerce Er.Kahoto Sema is credited for bringing the centre to Toluvi, said the legislator.

He also reminded the gathering that State Chief Minister T.R.Zeliang in his capabilities had sanctioned five Block Level Cluster Projects in the previous financial year 2015-16 from the Ministry of Textiles Government of India: two in Dimapur district (Kuhuboto Block & Medziphema west block), two in Mokokchung district (Tsurangkong block & Mangkolemba ‘A’ block) and one in Tuensang district (Longkhim block).

Batting to improve the handloom sector of the state, the legislator articulated that the Weavers Service Centre is capable of training the people in the field of fly shuttle weaving, dyeing and printing as well as designing of fabrics and called on the people to utilise the services of the centre to the maximum.

Reiterating on the MUDRA scheme for handloom weavers of the state, Yaden said that under the MUDRA scheme, margin money to the extent of Rs.10, 000 shall be provided by the GoI and interest beyond 6% shall be borne by the GoI and appealed on the weavers to make use of the MUDRA scheme.

He also reminded that the co-ordination efforts for speedy delivery of loans are being done by the Industries & Commerce department and the Weavers Service Centre.

Secretary for Industries and Commerce Husheli Sema, I.A.S on the occasion concentrated on the Naga context where she observed that traditionally Nagas have been practicing craftsmanship but relied wholly on agriculture.

With the rich Naga culture she advocated weavers to protect traditional designs at the same time not to compromise on the quality. Nagas should create a niche market in this sector and diversify our products to meet the changing demands with time added Husheli.

Reminding the department and participants that with India emerging as a developing country, National Handloom Day is celebrated to ring a bell to each of us that weaving is an important sector which contributes to the economy of the country.

While acknowledging the financial crunch the state is going through, she called on the weavers to be independent without looking on the government for rescue but change the mindset and diversify their skills.

The other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Director, Industries and Commerce Bendangliba Ao, Managing Director Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Dimapur Hokishe Assumi and Retired Director Industries and Commerce Er.Kahoto Sema.