STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Sualkuchi Tat Silpa Unnayan Samiti (STSUS) has introduced a three dimensional process in order to tackle issues that are inviting a disastrous situation for the 900-year-old weaving industry of Sualkuchi.
Sualkuchi, known as the Manchester of Assam, is currently going through a situation in where it has become very necessary and at the same time difficult for the silk handloom industry to prove its originality. So with the aim to cope up in the market, the STSUS has introduced a three dimensional process to test the originality of products that include a certificate that proves the purification of the material used, a trade mark and a bar code.
Addressing the media at Guwahati Press Club here on Tuesday, one of the secretaries of STSUS Dr Nihar Ranjan Kalita said, “It is not necessary to repeat about the significance of the handloom industry. We have been producing Paat, Muga and Tos and recently we have started producing Eri Muga too. Recently, we have witnessed that different situations are leading us to a position, where there is a fear losing the trust of the consumers. It is happening due to some evil minded businessmen, who are bringing clothes produced outside the state and selling it in the name of Sualkuchi. They are doing this for a long time by taking advantage of the fact that we did not have any patent or trade mark.”
Kalita further added, “Because of all these prevailing issues the actual item produced by our weavers do not reach the actual market. So, we have decided to make it clear whether the items bought by the customers in the name of Sualkuchi are pure or not. Now that we have introduced a three dimensional process including a certificate that ensures the purity of the material used, a trade mark and a bar code. Hence we would like to appeal the customers to check these three things before buying it. We ensure the public that, as we have a bar code now onwards we will be answerable to any kind of mismatch in the quality of clothes.” Also present in the Press meet the brand ambassador of Sualkuchi handloom industryBarsha Rani Bishoya by explaining about the crisis of weavers, appealed the youth to come out and take up the profession of weaving. Bishoya said, “I feel honoured to be a part of it and that my identity which I have received by working since 25-30 years of my life in the field of Assamese culture could contribute a little in promoting the product and make people aware of it. I think this industry as playing one of the vital roles of carrying the Assamese identity. Now in every aspect our Assamese tribe is facing a existential crisis. So it has become very necessary to take care of everything that we have to save our cultural identity.”