Dimapur, July 18 (MExN): A two-day State level marketing workshop for promoting handicraft was inaugurated today at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
Organized by Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations (COHANDs), New Delhi in association with Handicrafts Marketing Center (HMC), office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Kohima, the workshop was inaugurated by T Rollee Vareishim, Assistant Director (Handicrafts), HMC, Kohima.
Vareishim highlighted the purpose of the workshop to disseminate first hand information about the schemes of the office of DC (Handicrafts) and other Central and State government offices in a face to face interactive manner.
According to a press release received here, the workshop aims to educate the craftsperson/artisans, national awardees, NGOs/SHGs, entrepreneurs and manufacturers of handicrafts in Nagaland. The crafts from Nagaland have enormous potential and knowledge of exports, exports market, Geographical Indication, traditional design and product development are essential, it noted.
The workshop will cover the market situation, quality & its standards, valuable marketing and development, packaging of products effectively, and marketing them using online marketing techniques.
On the first day today, the guest speakers shared their views on handicraft development in Nagaland. They stated that the crafts from Nagaland are yet to be explored up to business and professional level despite a lot of entrepreneurs operating in Nagaland. The absence of new designs in the handicrafts sector was also highlighted, according to the release.
Considering that the workshop’s focus is also on design and product development which will in turn help the willing artisans to come up with new designs and products, the participants were encouraged that new designs can add value to the traditional source of livelihoods in Nagaland.
Alem Longkumer – National Awardee, Neihunuo Sorhie – National Awardee, Jesmina Zeliang – Convenor EPCH, Dr. Nesatalu Hiese – Scientist D (NSTEC), Dr. Tisonise Iralu – Regional Director IGNOU, and Ravi Kaushik – COHANDS were the main resource persons of the day one workshop, which was attended by 80 prominent artisans. There was also informal interaction between participants and the experts.
