Nagaland along with the rest of the country observed National Handloom Day on Sunday at the auditorium of Institute for Children Ministry, Toluvi, Dimapur. The programme was graced by parliamentary secretary for Industries and commerce, Amenba Yaden as the chief guest. The guests of honour of the occasion were Hushili Sema, IAS, secretary Industries & Commerce, Bendangliba Ao, director, Industries and Commerce, Hokishe Sema, managing director of Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation and Er. Kahoto Sema, director (Retd.) Industries & Commerce.
Addressing the gathering, chief guest said handloom weaving is an art practiced in every part of India including Nagaland from time immemorial. Every state of India has it’s own technique of weaving and the varieties of fabrics produced in the looms depend upon the culture and the tradition, said Yaden.
While saying that Nagas are second to none in the field of weaving, he said that Nagas used the back strap loom, commonly known as loin loom, for creating the rich traditional fabrics of Nagaland. Even today, “our fabrics” are in high demand in spite of the fact that they are slightly costlier compared to the fabrics produced by other looms, said the chief guest.
With the setting up of Weavers Service Centre in February, 2015, Nagaland became the third state in the north east region to have the centre, said Yaden. Highlighting on the services of the weavers service centre, Yaden said that it is capable of training the people in the field of fly shuttle weaving, dyeing and printing as well as designing of fabrics. He also urged the people of Nagaland to utilise the service centre to the maximum possible extent.
Highlighting on the various projects taken up by the state government, the chief guest informed the gathering that Nagaland have five sanctioned block level cluster projects in the previous financial year, 2015-16 from the ministry of textiles, government of India.
Of the five projects, two are in Dimapur district (Kuhuboto block and Medziphema block), two in Mokokchung (Tsurangkong block and Mongkolemba ‘A’ block) and one in Tuensang district (Longkhim block). These projects are under implementation and the benefits of the projects shall be felt by the handloom weavers of these blocks soon, said Yaden. The state government has also submitted 10 projects of block level cluster development in various districts of Nagaland and is under the active consideration of the central government, he added.
The government has also been successful in bringing MUDRA scheme for handloom weavers of Nagaland, the chief guest informed. Under the scheme, handloom weavers can get working capital loans and term loans from nationalized banks without any collateral security.
Also speaking on the occasion, Industries & Commerce secretary, Hushili Sema IAS said weaving in Naga society was practiced traditionally but never at professional level. While calling on the weavers to diversify their products, she also urged them to protect the unique traditional designs and also not to compromise with the quality.
Others who spoke at the programme were Bendangliba Ao, director, Industries and Commerce, Hokishe Sema, managing director of Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation and Er. Kahoto Sema, director (Retd.) Industries & Commerce.
Earlier, God’s blessing was invoked by principal of ICM, Vito K. Chishi and the welcome address was delivered by deputy director of WSC, S.T. Subramanian.