Shillong, August 7: National Handloom Day organized by the Department of Sericulture & Weaving was observed here today at All Saints’ Hall, Shillong which was attended by Governor, Meghalaya, Ganga Prasad as the Chief Guest while Minister, Sericulture & Weaving, Banteidor Lyngdoh graced the function as the Guest of Honour.
Speaking to the gathering during his address, Chief Guest, Governor, Ganga Prasad said that this day that is observed every year on 7th August to honour the handloom weavers of the country also gives an impetus to India’s handloom industry. “The day seeks to highlight the contribution of the handloom sector to the Socio Economic development of the country thereby enhancing the pride and self esteem of the weavers,” he said.
The day is also to remind ourselves of the 1905 Swadeshi Movement during which Indians boycotted British products in favour of the renewal of domestic ones and in modern times, to encourage people to wear the handloom products added the Governor. “Wearing handloom is not a practice that should be celebrated for a day but it should be worn all year round to remain rooted in one’s culture, tradition and to support the weavers who put in years of experience, time, energy and soul into creating these pieces of art,” he said.
He also added that the younger generation of Meghalaya has picked up the idea to blend the handloom with fashion which is a wonderful initiative and urged more youth to use their talent and creativity in the handloom sector. He further stressed on the need to make handlooms more fashionable, so that people at large are attracted to the handlooms and create a demand for the State’s products made of Eri, Muga and Mulberry silk.
While Minister, Sericulture & Weaving, GoM, Banteidor Lyngdoh highlighted the importance of this sector as a viable employment generation and assured the weavers of all assistance from the government. He also informed that he would take up with the Union Ministry to start the Weavers Service Centers in the State which will function as one-stop centers for various services like Banking, Insurance, PAN Cards and Aadhar. Prominent weavers from the State were also felicitated with a cash award and a certificate during the function.
It may be mentioned here that the first National Handloom Day was observed on 7th August 2015 by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Chennai and on the 2nd National Handloom Day he coined the slogan Khadi for Nation and Khadi for fashion. The day is chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7th August 1905 in the Kolkata Town Hall to protest against the partition of Bengal by the then British Government.
Among others who spoke during the function were K N Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, GoM, P Sampat Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Sericulture & Weaving, O P Kotnala, Deputy Director (EZ) of Weavers Service Centres, Guwahati. A number of stalls of the Sericulture department from across the State displaying handloom products were also put up in the premises for display and sale.
