Workshop on handicraft schemes, GI registration held in Kohima

DIMAPUR — A one-day workshop on schemes of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and geographical indication registration, e-commerce, GeM portal, Indiahandmade, GST, etc. for ST artisans under Research and Development Schemes for the year 2023–24 was held at Hotel Grandeur, Kohima, on November 22.

The workshop was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima, according to a press release.

The workshop was inaugurated by Prasalie Pienyu, chairman of Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. (NH&HDC), as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, he encouraged the participants to increase productivity and be prepared for exporting goods as demand arises, while T Rollee Vareishim, senior assistant director(H) , Handicrafts Service Centre (HSC), Kohima, detailed various schemes available to artisans from the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

Dr. Akha-Khou Stephen, assistant professor at St. Joseph University, Chümoukedima, discussed the benefits of e-commerce for handicraft artisans, and Gihukali Chishi, technical in-charge at the Patent Information Centre, Nagaland Science and Technology Council (NASTEC), covered GI registration.

Dr. Mayonmi Shimray, director in-charge at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Kohima Region, discussed on the occasion the opportunities available to artisans for pursuing education from home and obtaining degrees, while Rajib Chandra Roy, handicrafts promotion officer at HSC Kohima, emphasised the significance and utility of the GeM portal for handicraft artisans.

Forty artisans participated in the event. Five MUDRA loan forms were given out to interested artisans, and nine handicraft artisan ID cards were also distributed.

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