Mission for empowerment of artisans launched

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 1, 2018: Manipur government today launched Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans and Craftsmen (MEETAC) at Hotel Imphal where Governor Najma Heptulla said there is a need to put in effort by the government to revive and promote the dying crafts of the state.

MEETAC is an autonomous society set up on December, 29, 2017 with a vision to promote inclusive growth by developing the traditional crafts and arts sector as per global standards and making it an important spoke in the wheel of economic activities.

The governor said though the state’s population is hardly 28 lakh, artisans and craftsmen concentration is very high in the state. As such, the government should not only provide support to the craftsmen but also create market for them so that they may have sustainable livelihood through arts and crafts, she added.

Observing that people should inculcate the sense of dignity of labour, Heptulla also mentioned about the need to include crafts training in the school curriculum so that children are imparted the knowledge of craftsmanship right from the beginning.

Manipur is a paradise which is yet to be explored fully; there are many other unexplored potential areas which can be developed in the state. People of other state should understand that North East does not end at Assam or Guwahati but there are many other places and states which may leave them spellbound, she said.

She said she is also committed to protect Loktak Lake and make it a famous tourist destination. Enhancement of condition of the National Highways is another thing which is in her mind; she said and added that it is a must to introduce highway patrol service and opening of more eateries and toilets along the highways. She is going to invite Union minister for road transport, shipping and highways Nitin Gadkari to the state so that he may personally inspect the condition of the highways of the state, Heptulla said.

In the light of the Act East policy, Moreh-Imphal-Mao and Moreh-Imphal-Jiribam roads should be kept in a tiptop condition, she observed.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said MEETAC is a brainchild of governor Najma Heptulla.

On scarcity of fertilizer being witnessed in the state, the chief minister said the problem cropped up due to the sudden and massive sinking of NH-2 near Kohima. However, adequate quantity of fertilizer had been transported by train up to Jiribam from Namrup after he talked to Union railways minister Piyush Goyal, he said while adding that all these fertilizers would reach Imphal within a few days.

There is no dearth of talent and work culture in the state. These talents and hard works can be translated into economic development if proper opportunities and avenues are provided to the people. Manipur can become a model state in the country within 10 years if it can sideline or avoid bandh and blockade and violent agitations for some time, said the chief minister.

Textiles, commerce and industries minister and MEETAC chairman Th. Biswajit said MEETAC is a new beginning and it would certainly open a huge avenue of opportunities to traditional artisans and craftsmen.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar, CAF and PD minister Karam Shyam and water resources minister Letpao Haokip also attended the function.