Guv opens MANITEX 2019

Imphal, Nov 5 (DIPR)
Manipur International Textile Expo (MANITEX) 2019 was inaugurated by Governor Dr Najma Heptulla today at Lamboikhongangkhong.
In her inaugural speech, the Governor stated it was gratifying to know that seminar and workshops on technical textiles and Loin Loom are being organised during the expo.
The seminar and the workshops will certainly have fruitful deliberation among the experts and emphasis would be on the North Eastern States, which have tremendous human resources and which, with proper grooming, can participate effectively in the road for nation building, Dr Najma said. 
She applauded the State Government and the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles for their relentless efforts to organize such mega event in the interest of weavers and artisans  and to give a platform to showcase all the products of hand-looms, handicrafts, dyeing & printing, power loom, garment, embroidery and costume in larger scale with participation of different States and foreign countries.
A total of  333 stalls including 12 foreign partici- pants such as Thailand (4), Bangladesh (9) and Myan-mar (1)  and 56 from other States of the country and 268 local stalls are participating in this edition of MANITEX.
 She stated that the State is inhabited by about 34 different communities with diverse history and customs boasting rich cultures, dances, music (folk and modern), costumes and festivals which attract many people from around the globe.
 The Governor expressed her concern regarding the handloom and handicraft industry saying that in spite of its importance to the economy, this industry has been facing numerous problems such as lack of proper organization, inadequate finance, unreliable sources of raw materials from outside the State, exploitation by middle men in importing raw materials and also marketing of finished products.  Besides this, owing to lack of quality control, it cannot withstand competition from outside products.  Considerable importance has to be laid on this sector as the benefits from this industry would go to almost every household in Manipur.
She further stated that Manipuri women are known for their skill in handloom and handicraft works and the department has been implementing schemes for powerloom estate, apparel & garment making centre at Lamboi Khongnangkhong, 127 handloom clusters, 10 handicrafts clusters, one Terracotta project at Thongjao, new handicrafts project for 6000 artisans under Ministry of Textiles. 
A new scheme “SAMARTH” for capacity building in textile sector was introduced by the Ministry of Textiles and an MoU was signed between the Govt. of India and Govt of Manipur on August 14, 2019 which is quite encouraging, the Governor remarked.
   She urged the Government to preserve the handloom and handicrafts as they are part of the State’s  rich cultural heritage. Unemployment being one of the biggest challenges, skill development in handloom and handicrafts should not only be to make the youth eligible for self-employment but also equip them with the entrepreneurial competence so that they can open new avenues.
Textiles, Commerce & Industry Minister Th Biswajit Singh said that the main objective of organising the expo is to produce  quality handloom and handicrafts products and showcase those products in international markets which will in turn provide economic sustenance to the artisans. For this purpose many foreign countries and States were invited to expo. 
Biswajit also expressed his gratitude to the Governor for working towards bridging the gap between hills and valley and employment generation specially among the educated unemployed youth. He further stated that it is due to the initiative of the Governor that Manipur is featured in handloom and handicrafts map.
As a part of the function, a documentary film on handloom tradition of Manipur titled “ Chara Iyong” was released by the Governor.
Tripura Minister of Revenue & Fisheries Nagendra Chandra Debbarma attended the event as special guest and  Health Minister L Jayantakumar Singh, Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen, S Rajen Singh, Chairman, MHHDC Ltd, P Saratchandra Singh, MLA Moirang A/C, L Radhakishore Singh, Chairman, KNIB/MPCB, Dr. Raheshyam Yumnam, Chairman, MANIDCO, Ashab Uddin, MLA Jiribam A/C and N Indrajit Singh, MLA, Kshetrigao A/C too attended the inaugural function.