North-East Trade Expos to open in developed countries

Panaji, Jan 11 (UNI) The Centre is planning to organise North-East Trade Expos in Switzerland, Dubai, Panama and California (US) this year to give boost to the exquisite traditional handicrafts from the Land of Seven Sisters'.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here today, Managing Director R S Chankum of the Guwahati-based North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDCL) said it had recently organised one such expo in Bangkok, with tremendous response.

Meanwhile, Governor S C Jamir, inaugurated the 10-day North East Trade Expo that showcased a rainbow of exquisite handicrafts from the North-eastern states besides Sikkim.

The Expo was organised by the Corporation in association with the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Union Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The Expo, apart from exhibiting the traditional crafts of common people of the North-eastern region, would include a group of artisans to demonstrate their skills on the spot.

The hand-woven fabrics with rich and symbolic ornamentation of Assam, the eye-catching tribal ornaments made of cane, bamboo, glass beads and silver, besides magnificent carpets with dragon, geometric and floral motifs of Arunachal Pradesh, toys and dolls made of straw and clay and the most functional ''Laishingfee'' (quilted cotton material) and famous Kauna grass cushions and mattresses of Manipur adorned the expo.

Other exquisites exhibited in the sale include, the famous ''Endi'' silk weaving and pineapple fibre articles of Meghalaya and bamboo artistic cap of Mizoram, colourful tribal weaves and woodcraft basketry and spears of Nagaland, versatile cane and bamboo creations of Tripura.

The handicrafts and handloom sector provides direct and indirect employment to over 38 lakh people belonging to the SC, ST and other weaker sections. The two government organisations are making efforts to revitalise the sector and reorient the designs to the contemporary market needs without losing the traditional base.

The Expo is an effort to provide an exposure to the artisans to a wider canvas of market forces and clientele to give boost to the segment. As many as 150 artisans are participating in the expo, according to Mr Chankum.

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