Govt to help artisans with skills and knowledge: Margherita

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 28, 2024

Union minister of state for textiles and external affairs, Pabitra Margherita on Saturday said the Central government will do everything to equip the artisans with advanced skills and knowledge.

Inaugurating the Bunkar and Karigar Utthan Upskilling Programme FY 2024-25 – 100 Clusters in 100 Days in Guwahati on Saturday, In his inaugural address, Margherita emphasized the importance of preserving India’s rich craft heritage while adapting to modern market needs.

The event, organised by the Office of Development Commissioner for Handloom and Development Commissioner for Handicraft, Ministry of Textiles, was inaugurated virtually across the country.

“This initiative represents a crucial investment in our artisans and handloom workers. By equipping them with advanced skills and knowledge, we are not only preserving our traditional arts but also ensuring that our craft sectors remain competitive and vibrant, he added.

He said that the Handloom and Handicraft sector in India has always been very rich and the artisans and weavers are an integral part of the economy and culture of this country.

The union minister informed that under the Bunkar and Karigar Utthan Upskilling Programme, 70 clusters in the Handicrafts sector and 30 clusters in the Handloom sector will receive focused upskilling through the training programme. He encouraged the artisans and weavers across the country to take the full advantage of this programme and upgrade themselves with more skills and technologies.

Assam handloom, textile & sericulture minister U.G. Brahma also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the program’s significance for regional development. He said that as a large number of people in Assam are associated with weaving, this initiative will benefit them.

During live interaction with the weavers/artisans from different locations in virtual mode, Margherita appreciated the weavers and artisans for their work and assured them all support in this sector.

During the event, certificates and toolkits were also distributed to beneficiary weavers and artisans under various components of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).