Buyers from Israel order Lengyan, hats, satchels

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9: In what could be a significant motivation to the weavers and artisans of Manipur, buyers from Israel has ordered 2000 Lengyans (traditional stole), hats and satchels at the ongoing Manipur International Textiles Expo (MANITEX) 2025.
MANITEX 2025 opened yesterday at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi under the aegis of the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles.
On seeing a fashion parade on the evening of  the first day where models wore Lengyans made of cotton and silk with stripes in between, buyers from Israel ordered 2000 Lengyans of the same fabrics and design together with hats and satchels tailored from the same fabrics.
The second day of the five-day expo being held under the theme “Weaving a Sustainable Future: Mani-pur’s Handloom Heritage to Global Fashion” featured a discussion programme.
Speaking at the discussion programme, Handloom and Textiles Director E Jiten  said that orders for handloom and textiles products of Manipur have been received from Israeli buying  houses as an outcome of the fashion parade held yesterday.
Motifs of the Lengyans produced by weavers of the State and showcased by models yesterday are quite similar to ‘Talits’ worn by Israeli people around the neck during religious functions and rituals.  
On seeing the similarity, the buyers from Israel ordered Lengyans made by weavers and artisans of Manipur, Jiten said.
He said that the particular motif embroidered in the Lengyan has already received GI tag.
The buyer houses from Israel ordered a first consignment of 2000 Lengyans, hats and satchels and they expressed desire to order more consignments, Jiten said.
Along with the Lengyans, the buyers also ordered hats made from the same fabrics as the Lengyans which Israeli people wear during prayers and religious functions are similar.
Such orders will benefit and motivate weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs of Manipur and the fundamental idea of organising MANITEX is providing such a platform, the Handloom and Textiles Director said.
He said that 16 buyers from foreign countries are taking part in the expo.
The Director said that it’s time for weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs of Manipur to produce items after taking into account the choices of international buyers while retaining the unique motifs of the State.
He said that fashion is a big business and the expo is an endeavour to turn fashion items into business items and added that MANITEX was first introduced in 2018 with the main objective of  promoting different items produced by weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs of Manipur at the international markets.
Speaking at the same discussion programme, Power and Cooperation Commissioner Sailesh Kumar Chaurasia claimed that MANITEX 2025 has not only benefited weavers and artisans of Manipur but also   helped in promoting the State’s culture.
Apart from providing a platform to local weavers and artisans to market their products at the National and international levels, MANITEX 2025 also gives an opportunity for cultural exchange with foreign visitors, SK Chaurasia said.
He said that Manipur has huge potential in sectors ranging from handloom & handicraft to textiles, art & culture, cuisines and tourism.  
Chief Conservator of Forest Gaithaolo Thaimei, Transport Director Diana Khumanthem, Commerce & Industries Director Yumnam Robita and Textiles, Commerce & Industries Deputy Secretary Orjubala Haorong-bam also took part in the discussion programme.
The second day of the expo also featured a buyers-sellers meet and the buyers included many from foreign countries.