GUWAHATI: Alismita Saikia, who took up weaving clothes on a loom during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, has taken it upon herself to teach young girls how to use the loom to weave clothes so that they can become self-employed. Young girls living near Kuwaritol at Letugram Xatra in Kaliabor – where Alismita lives– come to her to learn weaving on the loom. At present, there are four girls who are being trained by Alismita.
Alismita is a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree holder who is not only earning her livelihood but also setting an example for the younger generation. During the COVID-induced nationwide lockdown in 2020, Alismita set up a loom at her home. Initially she could not operate the loom. So, her aunt, Anima Bhuyan started teaching her by making video calls on her mobile phone. Slowly, Alismita learnt how to weave the gamosa and mekhela sador. She even tried her hand at making bamboo products and was successful. Her bamboo products became quite popular among people and slowly she started selling her products under the banner of Urmika Handmade Art & Craft (brand name Urmika). Alismita’s name was included in the India Book of Records 2021 for making handmade jewellery items using bamboo. She made jewellery items for women like earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.
Talking to The Sentinel, Alismita said, “The new generation does not know weaving or how to operate the loom. They cannot be blamed for this. In this modern age, old traditions are getting lost. Looms are hardly to be seen even in rural areas.
“I decided to make myself self-dependant by taking up weaving. I want to teach young girls to weave on the loom so that they can become self-employed like me instead of running after jobs.”
She added that she was not charging a penny for teaching young girls to weave. “Weaving clothes on the loom is a part of our culture and tradition. Since I have learnt weaving, I feel it is my responsibility to teach others and for this I do not expect anything in return,” she said. She added that during the last Bihu festival, she had supplied woven clothes to various parts of the State.
When asked that being a M.Com degree holder would she try for a government job, she said, “I am happy and satisfied with what I am doing. I am earning money and I am also helping others to become self-employed,” she said.
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