By Our Reporter
Shillong: Admitting that the handicrafts of Meghalaya are primitive, Deputy Marketing Director of Commerce and Industry, U Muktieh has urged the State artisans to use modern technology so that their creations can compete in the present market.
Speaking at the 10-day “Gandhi Shilp Bazaar- 2011, an exhibition-cum-sale of handicraft products, organised by the Meghalaya Handloom and Handicraft Development Cooperative (MHHDC) here on Thursday, Muktieh said, “After agriculture the handicraft industry has become a major employment provider. So it is important to focus on the development of this industry”.
“This year the department had submitted proposal to the government for organising a training programme for the State artisans,” he said hoping that the government would give clearance for this training programme to enable the artisans to improve their skills.
Earlier delivering the inaugural address, the Chairman of the MHHDC Ltd AM Sangma informed that the State Government has taken steps to improve the quality of handicraft and handloom products and also to find market for them.
She said it was time Meghalaya to move forward in the handloom and handicraft sector, as the State has immense potentials for improvement.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director, Handicraft Department, B Milli said the outcome of such programmes is very encouraging as the marketing is very relevant and encouraged the participants coming from the different parts of the country to share their knowledge and expertise among themselves.
Milli said there should be a cluster project to benefit the participants.