Leh, June 14, (Scoop News)- A one day Handloom workshop cum awareness programme sponsored by Development Commissioner for Handloom Ministry of Textile (GoI) was organised by the Handloom Development Deptt, Leh at Shenam Hall today. CEC, LAHDC, Rigzin Spalbar was the Chief Guest and Zohra Chatterji, Secretary to the Ministry of Textile, GoI and Gurmet Dorjey, EC Handloom/Handicraft was the guest of honour on the occasion.
CEC in his speech laid emphasis on implementation of schemes at ground level especially in case of Ladakh considering its peculiar and harsh geographical location with possible relaxation in the national guidelines which dosen’t work equally in Ladakh as in other parts of the country. He said that the departmental schemes should work as catalyst to motivate people towards skill development and professionalism and said such workshops plays a vital role in bringing awareness and directing the locals to work in tandem with the changing time.
Spalbar majorly stressed on utilizing the winter months to conduct such workshops considering the free time with the local weavers and SHGs who can take greater advantage of such opportunities. He also pointed out the visible progress in the region since the inception of LAHDC which has taken various initiatives in implementing state and centre schemes with successful results in the region. He expressed gratitude to madam Chateerji for her visit and exploring the potential of handloom and handicraft in the district by motivating the officials and weavers for a pro active action.
Chateerji expressed great satisfaction over the useful implementation of GoI schemes in Pashmina and wool works in the region with recorded 12% increase in goats’ population and considerable decrease in goats’ mortality rate in the Leh district. She laid emphasis on design and product improvement and the need to enhance the existing weaving work using advance techniques and on the production of world best quality pashmina produce in Ladakh which will significantly increase their profit margin. Chateerji gave full assurance to extend all the possible help from GoI and to get various schemes to the region to benefit the locals in income generation and development. Besides, she also assured to start with the next level assistant which include testing lab, spinning and common facilities and agreed on getting Cluster Development Unit in the district. She also proposed for a shop in Leh for the Handloom Export Corporation to promote souvenirs, silk products and other tourist’s oriented stuff based on local design and context.
Gurmet Dorjey informed about the deteriorated state of the existing handloom building and requested for additional funds for its rebuilding and for stipends to the trainees. He stressed on the need to work on designing and finishing of the local handloom products by taking full advantage of such workshops. M.C. Gupta, Additional Development Commissioner, Ministry of Textile, GoI in his speech highlighted the schemes of GoI and told about National Handloom Programme and Cluster Development Approach.
Addressing the gathering, Director Handloom, J&K, Tsering Angchuk said that the aim of this workshop is to motivate the local weavers to develop their skill and make weaving as in other parts of the country a profession to make a sustainable livelihood and to promote local handloom sector. He informed about various GoI schemes implemented in J&K and demanded Madam Chateerji to make Handloom Exhibition in Leh an annual feature, a slot of 15 days at Dilli Haat, New Delhi for the local weavers to showcase their products during winters and propose for group approach in Leh and Kargil districts.
At the end a tete-a-tete interaction between Chateerji and the weavers was made in which the weavers expressed their problems and needs to which madam gave assurance to consider them.
The other guests present on the occasion were Mr. Goyal, Executive Director, Centre Wool, GoI, Mr. S.K. Baru, Incharge Weaver Service Centre, Ministry of Textile, Dr. Mohd. Sharif, Joint Director, Distt Sheep Husbandry, Councilor Dorjey Motup, members from various Handloom Cooperative Societies of State, local SHGs, weavers and staffs of handloom department.
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