Manipur Govt. promoting handicraft for employment of women

The Manipur government and private sector entities are giving emphasis on promoting handicraft and generating employment opportunities for the rural women of the state.

Kabrabam handloom cluster located at the Sanakeithel Koireng Leikai in Imphal trains handloom to unemployed women.

"After my studies I was jobless. I also did not have any knowledge of weaving. I joined this centre and learned many things. They taught me many new things," said Tababi Devi, a weaver.

The cluster has provided skill, developmental and training to more than 450 women and many of them have started their own centres.

Skill development programmes in dyeing training, weaving training, design training and exposure visits are also being organised for the weavers.

The Manipur government also provides stipend to selected weavers for attending training programmes.

"We organise these workshop for weavers. Our weavers are participating in the state level as well as at district level fairs across the country. Many skill development programmes like dyeing training, weaving training, tailoring and embroidery training are being organised for them," said Kabrabam Handloom Cluster treasurer Devan Sharma.

Set up in the 2007 with the support of Government's Integrated Handloom Development Scheme, it employs over a dozen weavers.

There are 19 such handloom clusters in the state. They make phaneks, cushion covers, towels, chunis, salwar kamij, shawls and other items, empowering them and making them financially independent.