A Botoking
Dimapur | April 8
In the aftermath of the recently concluded NE – Expo, this reporter met a 40 year old man named Chato Kuotsu. He is a craftsman by occupation who hails from the Angami Naga tribe and resides in Khonoma village near Kohima. In the process of our conversation, it was learnt that he was awarded the National award for Master Craftsmen and Weavers for the two consecutive years of 2000 and 2001 for his excellence in the production of the “Angami Khophi” which is a traditional carrying basket. He said that he received this award in December 12, 2003 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Coming across as an honest and simple man, Chato Kuotsu said that he has been in this profession for 20 years and is currently earning his living by making products for showcasing as well as teaching other individuals who are junior to him. He is also the Joint Secretary of the Craft Council of Nagaland.
He said that men of his trade and occupation are all facing hardships, being from poor backgrounds, due to the fact that there is no comprehensive policy being followed by the government of Nagaland to better their lot, at this juncture. In his knowledge, only one training workshop has been held so far in Khonoma village, where he and 200 other craftsmen are based.
Apart from this, monetary help has not been provided to them for developing their skills and marketing their products. It was also learnt that this occupation is hereditary by nature, with the skills being passed down from the father to son. This means that there are a lot of innate talented individuals waiting for help to earn their livelihood with a certain amount of dignity. His last words were this – this is his only profession, his only means of earning his livelihood. Likewise, there are other craftsmen who are in the same predicament as him as they are facing a hard future with no other source of income.
Morung Express News
