A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: Women Development Centre (WDC), in association with Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts (EPCH), has organized a workshop in Lakhimpur for building up workforce of budding entrepreneurs and to create awareness about new designs, products and adaptation methods with the market demand.
Keeping in view the market trends, the 20-day long workshop with the participation of 15 women weavers from Naoboicha and Telahi Blocks on sample product development of Mising tribal textiles began on June 11 at Handloom and Handicrafts House of WDC’s field office at Moridirgha in Lakhimpur district. The workshop will continue till July 1. LDM of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts, Pradip Kumar Khaklary, Assistant Director of Lakhimpur district Handloom and Textile Department, Kulen Chandra Deka and Designer of EPCH, Dhruba Jyoti Barman took part in the inaugural programme as the guests of honour.
WDC Project Director Bhagyawati Bhuyan delivered the welcome speech and explained the objective of the event. She stated that the objective of the workshop was to upgrade the existing skill as well as to add the additional skill to the handicraft artisans on diversification of Mising tribal textiles into different products as per the market demand. She further informed that the handicrafts artisans would get the benefits of various facilities and they would be recognised with the identity cards of artisans.
Attending the event, LDM Pradip Kr. Khaklary encouraged the artisans by suggesting them to grab the market with new products and financial support from banks. Designer of EPCH, Guwahati, Dhruba Jyoti Barman delivered his speech on handicrafts exports and trade fair details while Kulen Chandra Deka highlighted the needs of artisans to achieve a quantum jump in the markets with more earnings. WDC Programme Co-ordinator Chandrajit Pegu offered the vote of thanks.
On the other hand, another 15-day long training programme, implemented by WDC as a part of Micro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (MEDP), is also underway since June 3 on design and diversification of handloom and handicrafts at Baghbheta, Sissimukh Gaon under Machkhowa Block in Dhemaji district. The programme is supported by NABARD, RO Guwahati. LDM Pradip Kr. Khaklary and Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts DDM of NABARD, Samarendra Das, along with the WDC staff, were present in the programme which will conclude on June 18, as informed by WDC Project Director Bhagyawati Bhuyan.