ZIRO, Feb 27:  The ‘Rural Mart- AWFED (All Weavers Federation) tribal emporium’ and the office of the High Vision Thrift and Credit Coop Society, Ziro at Sirin Pakho was inaugurated by NABARD General Manager, S Shankaranarayanan today in presence of Joint Director, Textiles and Crafts, Hage Tatan and ZPM Nichi-Nitti Tilling Sambyo.

 

Rural Mart is an effort financed by NABARD to encourage and assist rural artisans and weavers to sell their products and become self sustainable. The rental and the salaries of the employees of the mart will be initially borne by NABARD for two years till the weavers are able to become self-sustainable.

Addressing the artisans and weavers and members from NGOs, Shankaranarayanan lauded the artistic weavers of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and northeast as a whole.

‘The intricate designs and patterns of our weavers are the cynosure at various craft melas and exhibitions across the country, however guidance is required for the artisans to mould and recreate the dresses with the local patterns as per requirement and demand of the markets outside northeast,’ he observed.

Any training required in this regard shall be taken up by NABARD, as we are committed to improve livelihood of rural areas, he assured.

Handlooms in a way are directly connected to the rich tradition and culture of this area. In every festivity there is a wide display of traditional dresses. Therefore encouraging the weavers directly contributes in preserving the rich culture, he added while assuring to sponsor weavers to participate in craft melas and fairs across the country.

He also emphasized on the need to improve marketing strategies and suggested for brain storming sessions to develop strategies for effective marketing of the end products.

Jt. Director, Textiles and Crafts while addressing the gathering suggested for creating a logo for the handloom products from Ziro to give it a brand value. ‘Handmade clothes are in huge demand, what is required is good marketing,’ Tatan added.

He also informed the weavers that the PM Mudra Yojna erstwhile weaver’s credit card will facilitate loans from fifty thousand to five lakhs.

Speaking at the event, the ZPM encouraged the unemployed youths to take up such income generating activities rather than to run behind government officers and public leaders for contract works.

DRCS Gyati Kobin who has been dedicatedly trying to revive and strengthen the Cooperative movement in Lower Subansiri district also provided inputs on activities of the weaver’s federation and the High Vision Thrift and Credit Coop. Society, Ltd, Ziro.

 The High Vision Thrift and Credit Coop. Society, Ltd, Ziro, a financial institution shall be run by a 60 member cooperative society  shall provide fixed deposits, recurring deposits and savings deposits at much higher interests as compare other financial institutions, he informed.

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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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