Quality in handloom products stressed

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 15: Opining that it is necessary to modify the exquisite handloom and handicraft items produced by the hills and valley people in order to appeal to the people from outside the State or abroad, Principal Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry) Manipur, P Vaiphei has appealed to all not to debate on whether something is right or wrong and instead to increase the chances of the State's handlooms and handicraft being accepted by outside people.
He made the statement during the inaugural function of a workshop on export which was held at Classic Grande today.
Speaking as the chief guest, P Vaiphei said that  he does not mean for the communities to completely change their culture and traditions but clarified that he is proposing for the handlooms and handicraft to be segregated into two categories, commercial ones and traditional ones.
He continued that the people of the State, most often the women, are producing many delicate and beautiful handlooms and handicraft items but it is often seen that apart from some who are familiar with the markets, a lot of the people are unaware of the condition and market situations.
On-line marketing is the rage right now and it is important for the handlooms and handicraft items of the State to maintain their quality so as to gain the customers' trust. Once trust is lost in the on-line market, the customers will look elsewhere, he added.
As the products need to be branded for them to be showcased in the on-line markets, it is imperative to analyse how the handlooms and handicraft products of the State can be branded, he said.
Stating that handloom and handicraft sector is a dynamic, vibrant and potential sector, P Vaiphei said that it has been quite sometime since he has thought about creating an export opportunity for the said products.
He then lauded the proposal by the Handloom Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Textile, Commerce & Industries, Chennai, to aid the artisans of the State and assured that the Government will provide every possible support to the artisans when it comes to export of the handloom and handicraft products. Handlooms and Textiles, Manipur, Director, K Lamlee Kamei and Handloom Export Promotion Councill, Ministry of Textiles, Commerce and Industries, Chennai, Joint Director Sundar Murugesan were also present at the event.