SHIMLA (HIMACHAL PRADESH), Sept 11 - Himachal Pradesh State Handloom and Handicraft Corporation (HPSHHC) is interested to learn about Assam�s handloom and handicraft industry, especially about paat and muga textile of Assam, which is unique.
Interacting with the media delegation from Assam on Goodwill Mission, vice-chairman Sanjeev Katwal and managing director Gopal Sharma of HPSHHC expressed their keen interest in this matter and they said they were ready to go to Assam for this purpose.
The media delegation from Assam, which is on a week-long tour to Himachal Pradesh, visited the Himachal Pradesh State Handloom and Handicraft Corporation on Tuesday and learnt about the craftsmanship and handloom industry of the State.
Vice-chairman Sanjeev Katwal welcomed and honoured the media delegation and said that the government had taken many initiatives to uplift the artisans. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is very concerned about safeguarding the rural art and artefacts, besides promoting Himachal�s handicraft abroad.
Katwal said that �Chamba Rumaal� has earned worldwide fame. He also said that the Bir Cluster of the corporation is purely eco-friendly and uses herbal colours for weaving of shawls, stoles etc. There is a huge demand of such shawls in the international market.
Managing Director, Gopal Sharma detailed about the functioning of corporation. He said that at present, there were 121 handloom and handicraft centres, including 36 tribal centres and two clusters at Panarsa in district Kullu and Bir-Billing in district Kangra to train the people so that they can earn a respectable income and sustainable livelihood. As many as 370 women were undergoing training at Bir cluster.
He also detailed about the steps being taken to boost the economy of the rural artisans and craftsmen.
The delegation also briefed the HPSHHC officials about Assam�s handloom and handicraft industry and invited the vice-chairman and officers to visit Assam to learn more about the handloom and handicraft art of the State.
Joint director K Bargohain and Senior Information Officer Samar Kalita of DIPR, Assam, honoured the vice-chairman and managing director on the occasion with traditional gamusa.
