Textile expo rally participants greeted

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 1, 2018: Minister of textiles, commerce and industries Thongam Biswajit Singh welcomed participants of the Manipur International Textiles Expo (MANITEX) 2018 rally at the Urban Haat, Nilakuthi today. MANITEX will be held from November 5 to 15, 2018 at Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

Biswajit said in Manipur, handloom and handicrafts is a tradition. He said Manipur is among the States with the highest number of weavers and looms. Every household, be it in the hills or in the valley, has a loom, he stated adding that handloom and handicraft is still a means of livelihood for many households in the State.

He said it is commendable that our talented weavers are able to produce items of international quality using their looms. Taking this into consideration and deciding that the local products needs exposure on the international level, it was resolved to organize the expo as an international expo, he added.

While observing that some international participants from countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, Egypt, Myanmar, have also accepted invitation for participation in the expo which will be inaugurated on November 5, he said the expo will have 162 stalls for Indian and state participants. The expo will conclude on November 15. He also said as part of the expo, 1807 looms will be distributed to weavers of 162 clusters.

The minister further observed that handloom and handicrafts helps majorly in the socio-economic development of our society.

Citing the Swadeshi Movement of the Indian freedom struggle, Biswajit also observed that it is time to encourage and promote our own products. We should encourage and promote our handloom products to increase production and improve our own economy.

He also stated that Urban Haat was developed to its present condition, considering its importance in promoting and developing local traditional handloom products. The haat, he said, will be used to organise several expo.

The cycle rally was flagged off simultaneously from Kakching by MANIDCO Chairman Dr.Y.Radheshyam Singh and from Moirang by MLA, Moirang P.Saratchandra Singh and  MLA Kumbi S.Bira Singh. Along the way, MLAs received the cyclists at their respective constituencies.

As part of the function, cyclists, medical team providing medical aid during the rally and others were presented traditional scarves. Biswajit also released the MANITEX booklet during the function.