The media delegation from Assam state which is on a week-long visit to Himachal Pradesh visited the office of the Himachal Pradesh Handloom and Handicraft Corporation here today and learnt about the craftsmanship and handloom industry of the state.
Vice-Chairman of the Corporation Sanjeev Katwal honoured the media delegation and said that the state government had taken many initiatives to uplift the artisans. He said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur himself was concerned for preserving rural art and artefacts besides promotion of Himachal’s handicraft abroad. The Chamba Rumaal has earned worldwide fame. He said that the Bir Cluster of the corporation was purely eco-friendly and uses herbal colours for weaving of shawls, stoles etc. There is huge demand of such shawls in the international market.
Managing Director Gopal Sharma detailed about the functioning of corporation. He said that presently there were 121 handloom and handicraft centres including 36 tribal centres and two clusters at Panarsa in district Kullu and Bir-Billing in district Kangra to impart training the people. As many as 370 women folk were undergoing training at Bir cluster, he said.
He also detailed about the steps being taken to boost the economy of the rural artisans and craftsmen. The interaction also focussed on exchange programme and learning of each other’s craftsmanship.
The delegations invited the Vice -Chairman and officers to visit Assam to learn more about the handloom and handicraft art of two states.
Joint director K. Bargohain and Senior Information Officer Samar Kalita to the government of Assam honoured the Vice chairman and managing director on the occasion.
