By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 16: A six-day executive training programme focused on Textile Heritage and Business Acumen was launched by the Commerce and Industries department in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in a bid to equip weavers and artisans from the handloom sector with essential business skills to enhance their economic productivity.
The first batch of 25 participants will undergo training from June 16 to June 21, followed by a second batch of another 25 scheduled from June 30 to July 5.
The programme is being conducted under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
The inaugural function was held on Monday at the NIFT Shillong permanent campus in Umsawli. Joint Director of Directorate of Commerce and Industries, M Wanshnong, was the chief guest of the occasion. He was joined by General Manager, District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC), East Khasi Hills, A Malngiang, who was the guest of honour.
The event commenced with the NIFT Director Shankar Kumar Jha felicitating the esteemed guests, followed by the release of a handbook titled ‘Simple Weaves for Handloom’, authored by Dr Unsanhame Mawkhlieng, the project coordinator.
State Project Lead of the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), Shashank Dash, provided insights into the RAMP scheme and its focus areas, while highlighting the significance of this inaugural programme, noting that it is the first-of-its-kind in Meghalaya, a state where textile traditions hold deep cultural and economic importance.
In his welcome address, NIFT Director Shankar Kumar Jha expressed gratitude to the Commerce & Industries department for their steadfast support, while emphasising the value of institutional collaborations in empowering traditional artisans and encouraged participants to engage fully with the training to derive maximum benefit.
Department Director Wanshnong lauded NIFT Shillong for taking the initiative to host this program and urged the participants to make the most of the learning opportunity. He also highlighted the importance of our culture that connects with our craft and textiles.
Echoing this sentiment, DCIC General Manager Malngiang highlighted the importance of the marketing skills being introduced through the course. He also encouraged participants to consider how their newly acquired knowledge could contribute to the future growth of the department and the sector at large.