Roing, Apr 19: An awareness campaign on sustainability and livelihood for handloom weavers of Lower Dibang Valley titled ‘Drapes of India Reimagined’ was conducted by the North East Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC) and Fabric Plus of Guwahati,Assam in collaboration with Department of Textiles and Handicraft, Lower Dibang Valley. 
Deputy Commissioner Soumya Saurabh, addressing the weavers present, spoke about the importance of the handloom industry and the need to adopt new innovative technologies to keep the traditional crafts alive. The industry uses traditional techniques and largely comprises of women weavers who depend on it for their economic needs, she added. She appreciated the NEHHDC and Fabric Plus for enhancing the skills of the weavers, creating awareness on new products available, giving information on the demands of the market and providing a linkage to better the products and increase the income and recognition of the local weavers. Any hand holding on policy intervention and financial aid for the weavers will be done by the District Administration, promised the DC.
Managing Director (NEHHDC) Retd Brig. Rajiv Kumar Singh called it an opportunity for the weavers to learn about the current market demands, market requirements and the need to bridge the gap between the demand and the supply chain. The local weavers are weaving only to meet the local demands and it will reach its saturation point, but this can be changed with the use of better yarn to create better products to meet the demands of the bigger outside market, he added. 
Use of new technology, new innovations to create a better innovative product with local designs will open up a new market, he said. You already have the skills, our aim is to refine your products for a discerning consumer. Understand your market and design your products accordingly and make it region specific, the MD advised the weavers.
A representative of Fabric Plus of Assam spoke on the advantages of Eri Silk yarn over the acrylic yarn used by the local weavers. He said that the use of better yarn will add value to the finished product, fetching a better price for it in the market. DD A. Pertin also spoke on the occasion.
Fabric Plus distributed free Eri Silk yarn to all the weavers present on the day. 

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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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