BISHNUPUR, June 19: Acknowledging that women of Manipur are blessed with immense skill in weaving, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam asserted that the handloom sector has the potential to sustain livelihood of many uneducated people and accelerate economy of the state.
Gaikhangam was attending launching programme of E-Monitoring, Skill Development & Cluster Development on Handlooms organized by Department of Commerce & Industries under Ministry of Textiles at Ningthoukhong Model High School, Bishnupur district today.
Speaking as chief guest, Gaikhangam said that adequate raw materials is required to set up an industry or factory otherwise it may collapse due to failure to produce products despite investing crores of rupee.
He noted that many agro base projects can be set up successfully here in Manipur as there are many medicinal plants grown abundantly in the state.
Admitting that potential in handlooms is much in valley districts than in hill districts, the Dy CM informed that there are 1.9 lakh looms in valley districts.
The attractive Wangkhei Phi is not made by machine but by loom. Handsome amount of money could be earned by exporting the unique Wangkhei Phi outside the state, he said.
Gaikhangam added that weavers should not try to commercialize the handloom trade by using machine so as to maintain the aesthetic value of handloom products of the state.
Today`™s function was also attended by Commerce & Industries and Seri, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Govindas Konthoujam as president; MLA of Oinam Constituency Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA of Nambol Constituency N Loken as guests of honour.
Representatives of handloom clusters and weavers coming from different districts were also present at the occasion.