Capacity building training on creation of bamboo jewellery handicraft at Mellim

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 16, 2021

Inaugural program of the Capacity Building Training on creation of bamboo jewellery & utility handicrafts was organized by the Office of the General Manager, District Commerce & Industries Centre, Ampati in collaboration with M/s Neera Creations, Tezpur, Assam at Mellim, Rerapara C&RD Block and South West Garo Hills on Tuesday.

A training of 15 days under Handicraft Promotion Scheme 2020-2021 is initiated to impart training to 25 artisans, with an aim to promote handicraft and create self-employment opportunities among the youth of the region.

The main objectives of the training is to guide handicraft artisans and youth of the region in taking up handicraft jewellery and utility as one of the employment opportunity; to utilise the knowledge sharing in usage of waste and forest based raw material so as to convert them into useful and valuable items of jewellery and other utilities; and also to tap its huge existing market within and outside the state. 

R.Z.D Shira, BDO Rerapara C&RD Block, South West Garo Hills while addressing the gathering as a Chief Guest, encouraged the trainees to maintain discipline, attentiveness and consistency in order to make such training successful. In his keynote address, he mentioned that the Government is making efforts to organize such training to empower local artisans but if they do not show seriousness or utilize their craftsmanship in an appropriate manner, such programs will not be of much use.

The Chief Trainer Neera Sharma, who left the job of a lawyer to follow her passion in jewellery handicraft, has been travelling to rural areas of India to impart training in bamboo jewellery handicraft as part of Rural Livelihood Mission. Her passion has earned her the name “Bamboo Lady of India” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Determined to convert the abundantly available natural resources to income and generate self-employment at rural areas with minimum investment through the craftsmanship of the local artisans who have not received any kind of opportunities, exposure and guidance, she now conducts workshops “Learn and Earn” with a moto “One Bamboo, One Lakh”. 

While addressing the gathering, she stressed on targeting the tourist spots to market the products as most tourists look for compact local handicrafts to take back home as souvenirs. She expressed that rural areas are full of skilled indigenous artisans who can learn and help her learn the art which will help bridge the gap of unemployment in rural areas. She announced that after imparting training, she could also buy the products from them and sell those crafts at right markets which would help the locals generate income out of their skill and labour.