SHILLONG: As an initiative to promote local craftsmen to showcase their skills in craftsmanship, a two day exhibition on bamboo products began on Friday at the State Central Library premises under the banner Shken.in, a brand name conceived out of partnership of the department of Commerce & Industries and Department of Design, IIT, Guwahati.
Shken is a local Khasi word for bamboo.
Craftsmen demonstrating the art of basket weaving, lamps, roti basket, paper basket handcrafted with stunning designs and other day to day materials made exclusively out of bamboo are visible to the visitors to the exhibition. They can also watch on a computer screen placed at the venue, the skillful hands of the craftsmen making everyday materials out of bamboo.
At the 33rd District Level Exhibition in this regard , Chief Minister Mukul Sangma called for patenting of bamboo and cane products of the State that marks the inborn ingenuity and creates exclusivity for the skills of people.
“I feel motivated and it gives me a sense of satisfaction which is the outcome of the whole partnership model with Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati,” the Chief Minister said.
The two-day exhibition includes the technical session on diversification of bamboo & cane products.
He expressed hope for youth aiming to come to the mainstream and give up armed struggle as opportunities await them in the field of innovation and technology using “the Green Gold” or “wonder Grass”.
Bamboo is part and parcel of tribal way of life and the outcome of innovation can create an opportunity of livelihood. Through the exhibition, people will come to know of bamboo products and craftsmen will be appreciated for their skills, he added. Delving into the subject of innovation from bamboo, he expressed hope that craftsmen will get a global recognition for the State’s high-end bamboo products and set the target for high clientele.
Speaking on youth and armed struggle, Sangma observed that the youth can give up armed struggle and come back to the mainstream as many opportunities are opening up for them.
