Manipur, Nov 21: Nongpok Kakching is a village in Imphal East district of Manipur that gave India a weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, has many weavers producing one of the finest textile items in their handlooms.
Chanu’s silver medal haul in Tokyo Olympics has now encouraged the Centre to set up a mega handloom cluster to help the weavers in her village. Union minister of textiles, commerce, and industry Piyush Goyal announced that a mega handloom cluster will be set up at Nongpok Kakching village at the expense of Rs 30 crores to honour Mirabai’s feat that has made the country proud.
आज इंफाल में आजादी के अमृत महोत्सव के तहत सिटी कन्वेंशन सेंटर में विषयगत प्रदर्शनी का उद्घाटन व कारीगरों को कारीगर पहचान कार्ड, यार्न पासबुक और टूलकिट का वितरण किया।
हम ओलंपिक विजेता मीराबाई चानू के पैतृक गांव में मेगा हैंडलूम क्लस्टर स्थापित करेंगे। pic.twitter.com/YnH2xb5BY7
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 20, 2021
He announced that another handloom craft village will be set up at Moirang as a tribute to the Indian National Army fighters, who here hoisted the Indian tricolour for the first time on Indian soil during World War II. Goyal made the announcements while speaking at the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” function organized by the Ministry of Textiles, Commerce and Industry in association with the Department of Textiles, Manipur at Imphal.
Stating that the country is yet to fully explore Manipur’s handloom and handicraft potential, Goyal said that products of the state may have great demands at the global market.
Also Read: Manipur CM greets Mirabai Chanu to become 1st Indian weightlifter at Tokyo Olympics
“The ministry will extend all possible assistance in skill development, value addition, packaging, design, branding if needed.”
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said the state’s handloom and handicraft products are unique and it has the potential to occupy a special place in the global market.
Manipur’s Textiles, Commerce, and Industries Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said Manipur has the highest concentration of looms in the country, with around 2.11 lakh looms and around 2.11 lakh looms and around 2.12 lakh weavers.
I am pleased to share that Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @PiyushGoyal Ji had sanctioned a budget of Rs. 30 Cr. to set up Mega Handloom Cluster at Nongpok Kakching under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 20, 2021
“When the population of weavers is shrinking in almost every other state, their population is increasing in Manipur.” During the function, Goyal also released a short film titled, ‘Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.’ He also handed over a cheque of Rs. 20 lakh to Mirabai’s mother for the film.