Training on quality and organic dyeing

A Correspondent

Boko, May 28: In continuation of its effort to strength the Eri farmers of middle Assam, a three-day hands-on training programme on ‘Quality Control and Organic Dyeing of Eri Silk yarn’ was organized by the Institutional Advanced Level Bio-Tech Hub, Nagaon College recently. Twenty Eri silk rearers from Nagaon and Morigaon districts along with equal number of science students participated in the training programme.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Sarat Borkataki, Principal of Nagaon College, and proceedings of the programme initiated by Dr. Bhuban Chandra Chutia, coordinator, Institutional Advanced-level Biotech Hub, Nagaon College. Dr. KK Medhi, coordinator, RUSA, Dr. CM Sarma, coordinator, IQAC, and Dr. Farish Yasmin, coordinator, Institutional Advanced-level Biotech Hub, were present along with three experts on fibre and organic dyeing. The experts were led by Chandan Keshab, head of the Guldasta group of Boko and natural dyer, Papiya Saha, fibre designer and Ghanima Bibi dyers.

Chandan Keshab and his team members demonstrated and shared different types of natural dyes and process of their preparation from betel nut, pomegranate, henna and turmeric. Students who participated in the workshop took great interest in making different shades and new colour shades by changing percentage of dye, quality of water and mixing two different dyes. Dr Sarat Barkataki, Principal of Nagaon College assured all participants that in future also they would do their best to improve the quality and skills of native farmers. Dr KK Medhi, president of the valedictory function, spoke on the importance of Eri silk and its demand in the domestic market. He encouraged the Eri rearers to take Eri culture as a commercial venture.