Medziphema, August 7 (DIPR): The National Handloom Day was celebrated at SASRD Nagaland University, Medziphema on August 5. It was organized by Directorate Of India Directorate of Field Publicity Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Regional Office: Nagaland & Manipur Kohima in collaboration with the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema & Weavers’ Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles, Dimapur.
Prof. T. Lanusosang, Pro. Vice Chancellor SASRD, Nagaland University, Medziphema was the Chief Guest at the event.
While speaking on the occasion,he said Handloom refers to a loom which is operated manually to weave a fabric by interlacement of warp and weft yarn. Weaving is now considered as an art form, considering development of skills and knowledge, he added. The weavers are known for their knowledge innovation and brilliance in designs. The handloom sector before the independence had a bearing on national activity and identified completely with Gandhi agenda. Handloom weaving and related activities were symbolic in the Indian Independence struggle. Mahatma Gandhi once commented that “The Spinning Wheel is a handmaid of agriculture and handloom is the nation’s second lung”. He considered the spinning wheel as a symbol of revolution. The handloom sector thus form a part of the heritage of India and occupies the richness and diversity of the country and the artistry of the weavers. It has an important role in the country’s economy, as it is the largest economic activity after agriculture providing employment to thousands of unemployed or underemployed artisans particularly in rural areas. Over 45 Lakhs people are engaged in handloom, weaving and alliances in India, he mentioned. The First Indian Handloom day was celebrated on August 7th 2015 which was launched by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Chennai. And since then, the Nation has been celebrating the Handloom day on 7th August, for it is on this day i.e, 7th August, 1905 that Mahatma Gandhi launched the Swadeshi Movement. The movement involved boycotting of British products and revival of domestic products and production processes.
He also added that Nagaland is known as the land of festivals is mostly known for the fact that it has quite a big number of tribes with their distinctiveness in the matter of culture and tradition. The handloom products of Nagaland found their way to the national and international markets thereby have to create awareness and preservation among the younger generation. The government needs to invest more in this sector especially in the rural areas by encouraging youngsters to go for traditional attires instead of clothing in western style.
The resource person, S. T. Subramanian, Deputy Director, Weavers’ Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles, Dimapur explained the role and functions of textiles besides presenting a power point presentation on handloom of India. The programme also witnessed a quiz competition on Handloom of India.
