PASIGHAT, Oct 5: First lady Neelam Misra visited the District Crafts Centre of the Department of Textile and Handicrafts at Pasighat, today. She said that traditional weaving being the practice amongst the women of tribal communities, since time immemorial, helps the tribal communities continuing their cultural heritage and traditions and contributes towards women’s financial and economical empowerment.

Continuing her personal endeavour in the empowerment of women through traditional activities, the first lady while interacting with the trainees and craft instructors advised them to preserve the indigenous designs and patterns in original forms. She also exhorted them to add innovative ideas to make the Arunachali weaving more marketable.  She called upon them to play entrepreneurial role and promote the vast potential of the Arunachali youth in tribal arts and crafts. Misra who has been taking keen interest in traditional weaving called upon the womenfolk of the State, particularly the educated and socially well established young ladies to promote and propagate the age-old weaving practice and help the socially and economically weak women in self employment. She suggested them to take up weaving as hobby and practice it in their leisure time.

She also complimented the Department, its officers and craft masters for their endeavour to promote traditional weavings. Textile and Handicraft Assistant Director, Dagmo Riba briefed the first lady about the achievements, potential and challenges of the Department in the District. Deputy Director Industries, Matsam Jamoh also briefed her of the Government initiative in promotion of handloom, textile and handicrafts in the district.