Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has urged Union Textiles minister Smriti Zubin Irani to issue necessary instructions to officials concerned not to issue patents to anyone other than Naga tribal bodies for the designs and patterns of costumes, attires and handicrafts of Nagaland.
In a letter to the Union minister, Rio explained that all Naga tribes were known for their distinct designs and patterns in their shawls, attires and costumes, which were all an integral part of Naga customs and traditions. He said most of the designs and patterns had cultural and historical connotations.
The protocol and practice regarding who could wear which costume, as also they way of draping shawls, had all been laid down in the customary traditions and practices, he added.
The chief minister, however, pointed out even as most tribal hohos and organisations had applied for patenting their unique designs and patterns of attires and costumes, regional director of the North Eastern region under development commissioner for handicrafts office, Union textiles ministry, had applied for the same patents.
He, therefore, urged the development commissioner for handicrafts to facilitate Naga tribal bodies get patents for the designs that rightfully belonged to them and not take away what had been the cultural and intellectual property of Nagas since time immemorial.