Assam’s Minister UG Brahma aims to revive Handloom & Textile sector

GUWAHATI: In a bid to revive the handloom and textile sector as a major pillar of economic stability, Assam’s Minister for Handloom, Textile and Sericulture, Soil Conservation and Welfare of Bodoland Department UG Brahma expressed optimism for the future while addressing the weavers during Seminar on design improvement of handloom products of Assam along with Swanirbhar Nari scheme during the ongoing Rongali festival at the Khanapara Veterinary College Ground, Guwahati on Saturday.

Highlighting the need to make weavers economically self-sufficient, Brahma spoke of the government’s schemes aimed at empowering them. During his speech at an event named ‘Swanirbhar Naari Scheme of Handloom and Textiles Department’ on third day of the Rongali festival, Brahma noted the important role of handloom and textile in women’s empowerment, stating that the sector must play a significant role in this regard. He added,

The minister praised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his leadership, describing him as a good economist and a very good administrator. Dilip Kumar Borah, IAS, Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Department spoke in details about various plans of Government to create a friendly business atmosphere and upgradation of weavers and artisans.

Shyam Kanu Mahanta, the man behind Rongali, hosted the show and spoke in details about Rongali’s approach towards giving a platform to handloom and handicraft sectors in Rongali, integration with fashion and creating a strong market linkage for the products of the region. Payal Chadha, owner of Galleria, Saumarjyoti Sarma, the founder Indian Weavers Association and Kiran Boro, an entrepreneur from Bodoland Territorial Region spoke about their products and their opinion about how through design improvement market linkages of handloom products could be improved.