DIGBOI, Feb 29 - Five educated youths � Ramanuj, Parag, Angshuman and Rhitwik from Digboi and Devraj from Duliajan have formed a joint entrepreneurial venture named �Craftloom� to promote handicraft items, both within and outside India. They perceive beauty not only in the undulating and varied landscapes of the country but also in the creations of the weavers and craftsmen scattered throughout. They are committed to flaunt the unique hand-woven muga mekhela sador adorning the Assamese damsels, the tribal art work knitted on bamboo mats indigenous to the North-East, the Kashmiri patchwork quilt, the bronze diyas burning in the temples of Madurai and so on.
The partners of Craftloom appreciate the craftsmen for carrying forward the age-old legacy of their art forms, but at the same time, they rue that they are compelled to take whatever price is offered to them by the middlemen. With little or absolutely no knowledge of the pricing standards, these poor craftsmen agree to work for nominal returns, while most of them resort to working as daily wage earners or subsistence farmers. The Craftloom has come to their rescue to ensure that they get due price and recognition for their products without the interference of the unscrupulous middlemen. Already the Craftloom partners have been in contact with 20, 000 weavers and 1000 craftsmen in the North-East alone. They are also continuing their talks with NEHHDC and Pragjyotika of the North-East, Tantuja and Amar Kutir in West Bengal, Sambalpuri Cooperative in Odisha, Mriganayani in Madhya Pradesh and Chencoptex in Tamil Nadu.
The organisation which sprouted at Digboi is at present overseeing its operations from Guwahati. With teams spread over in the township of Digboi and the cities such as Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangaluru and New York as well, the organisation is constantly improving its product-line and technology. With Modi�s �Make in India� campaign in mind, the Craftloom is planning to portray Indian handicraft creativity all over the world.
