From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: The Chief Adviser to the Government and prominent Nongpoh legislator, DD Lapang on Thursday laid the foundation stone for construction of the office building of the District Sericulture and Handloom Officer. He also inaugurated the Mass Weavers Registration & Mega Health Camp held at the campus of the Sericulture Office, Nongpoh, in the presence of Minister Incharge for Sericulture & Weaving, Prestone Tynsong.
The programme was attended by over four thousand weavers from various areas of Ri Bhoi District who also enrolled themselves in the Mega Health Camp.
Speaking on the occasion, Lapang appraised the weavers as well as the Department of Sericulture and Handloom for their contribution and innovation they made in preserving the traditional clothes.
He also said that cultural heritage should not be left behind in the era of science and technological advancement.
He lauded the initiative taken by the Department of Sericulture and Weaving in uplifting the socio-economic development of the indigenous groups of Ri Bhoi through marketing of indigenous products by weavers of the district.
Observing the products marketed within and outside the state, he said that the weavers of Ri Bhoi were talented and hoped that with the implementation of schemes and projects by the government the needs of weavers, particularly the unemployed youth would be catered to.
He urged the people, particularly the unemployed youth to not depend exclusively only on white collar jobs but instead look for other opportunities provided by the Government for creating possibilities of self employment for better livelihood.
“The Government is taking the initiative to uplift the livelihood for weavers in the state therefore, the mass registration & mega health camp is organized by the Department of Sericulture & Handloom department so that the department can recognized the numbers of weavers present in the state and many government sponsored scheme can be allotted to them,” Prestone Tynsong said.