Participants of the National Handloom Day celebration at Chizami on August 7.
CHIZAMI, AUGUST 7 (MExN): The National Handloom Day 2023 (NHD) was celebrated at Chizami, Phek under the theme ‘Fostering Diversity & Inclusivity, Enabling & Empowering Women Weavers.’
The event was organised by NEN & Nenterprise in collaboration with SEWA Shakti Kendra, Pfutsero, Community Health Center, Chizami, District Industries Center, Chozuba, Aadhaar Agency, Pfutsero, State Bank of India , Chizami and District Welfare Office Phek. The event witnessed a confluence of 164 participants from Chizami, Chizami town, Sumi, Thetsumi, Enhulumi, Mesulumi, Pfutsero, Zapami, Sakraba, Khomi, Chozuba, Yoruba, Phuhgi, Runguzu and Ruzazho villages. .
Nietshope-u Thopi, General Manager, Neneterprise highlighted the background of NHD. Annually celebrated across the country, the NHD aims to acknowledge and promote the rich heritage of this sector, as well as recognize its contribution to the socio-economic growth.
Guest speaker, Zhonelu Tunyi, President, Chakhesang Mothers Association expressed her appreciation of the women weavers, especially the Chakhesang women who have continued traditional weaving practise and are at the forefront in preserving the rich culture. She stressed on the importance of exercising the existing skills and adding value to it and not entirely depend on formal education to earn livelihood.
She urged the weavers to have consistency and perseverance to achieve the end goal. Tunyi acknowledged the winners of the different awards while encouraging the rest to put in more effort. She remarked that the weavers equal a person who has the highest educational degree citing that they are masters in their own field.
The event showcased the skills of the weavers via a design competition organised by NENterprise among their existing 900 weavers’ network across Phek. The Best Design & Weaving was awarded to Wetiu Kreo, Zapami Village; Mhalevino, Chizami Village; and Khapu Kenye, Zapami Village.
Acknowledging the contribution of weavers who have supported Chizami Weaves to grow substantially in the last 15 years, Neitshulou Chirhah, a 75 year old weaver from Chizami Village, was awarded the Eldest Weaver with 15 years of association. Sakraba and Middle Khomi Weavers presented folk tunes.
The event was marked by a technical session. Awareness on various social security schemes and linkages were provided.
Other highlights of the event included a display of handloom products of Nenterprise, Chizami Weaves and Li Cheh Kro.
Service booths were made available on spot for registration/enrollments/services of Pancards, Artisans ID, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, bank account opening, Aadhaar updates and health check up. In total 124 linkages to various services were made.
