Chairman, Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) while inaugurating a Monpa handmade paper making unit last Friday in Tawang commented that if properly tapped, Arunachal Pradesh with all its potential can outsmart others in the traditional industries sector. This is absolutely true and not only the Khadi Chairman, experts from across the country and abroad have expressed the same opinion over the years. But, despite these ‘admissions’, the annual figures relating to the output of the state’s traditional or cottage industries suggest that only a fraction of the true potential has been realised as of now and the ‘story’, however, continues to be the same. On the occasion it was assured by the KVIC that not only in Tawang, there are plans for revival of traditional industries in other parts of the state also. The sooner these plans are rolled out, the better it will be not only for Arunachal but also for the country if the visions of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ or the Look East or the Act East policies are to be truly realised. The argument is simple- Arunachal hasn’t received the tutelage it deserves vis-à-vis its potential and as such, the KVIC as an apex organisation of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises must play a more proactive role.
The KVIC has shown that with sustained efforts any traditional industry can be revived, as has been the case with handmade paper making art of the Monpas which dates back to around 1000 years. It’s true also for each and every tribe of the state cutting across districts with a host of indigenous ingredients to offer based on centuries-old traditional craftsmanship. Most importantly, these products have enviable commercial prospects across the nation as well as overseas. The real story, however, is that the supply graph of these products from Arunachal most of the times has been on a downward trend to the extent that a prospective buyer very often forgets their existence even due to prolonged absence from the shelves of showrooms. A visit to a Khadi establishment- emporium, store, showroom or by whatever names they are called in metros will corroborate this finding. This must be reversed and the KVIC and the state government in tandem must play a pivotal role. If modern training of the state’s artisans over and above their traditional knowledge is a necessity of time, accessing markets has thus far remained a major issue and it holds true for almost all traditional industries of the state- handlooms, silk, honey making and similar others.
The KVIC must draw long-term plans and pursue them doggedly. Arunachal needs this backing desperately and it’s high time the few and far between efforts are replaced by prolonged patronage.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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