An awareness program for “Handicrafts, Artisans Registration of identity cards” was held on January 30 at Changtongya Village by the office of the development commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, at Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima, Nagaland.
Senior assistant director (Handicrafts), T. Rollee Vareishim, in a press release stated that the program was attended by nearly a thousand people. The program had logistical support and encouragement of advisor, Industries and Commerce, Imnatiba, the Village Council of Changtongya, the general manager of District Industries Centre (DIC) Mokokchung, T. Lipokwati and his staff and the general public of the village and surrounding villagers.
The release said that Changtongya is one of the neatest and cleanest villages.
The awareness program was held at the village High School Hall. C. Manen, pastor (NCRC) Changtongya, offered the invocation prayer followed by a welcome address and speech by T. Lipokwati. The key note address was given by T Rollee Vareishim who highlighted the importance of handicrafts artisan identity cards and encouraged artisans to produce handicrafts items based on quality, design, finishing and marketable items with demonstrations of handicraft utilities. A message from Imnatiba was read out to the participants followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Rajib Chandra Roy, handicrafts promotion officer, Handicrafts Service Centre, Kohima.
After light refreshments, the artisans filled up the Identity Card Registration Forms and submitted them to the relevant office (458 on the spot and more than one thousand registration forms are expected to be received through DIC, Mokokchung).
This awareness camp was one of the largest ever organized by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) in the State of Nagaland.