SIVASAGAR, June 3 - A 70-day ONGC Assam Asset-sponsored training programme on socio-economic sustainable livelihood through water hyacinth, bamboo and cane products was held at Zoon Nagar of Bhatiapar here under the aegis of North East Development Forum (NEDF) recently.
The closing ceremony was addressed, among others, by SD Maske, ED, Asset Manager, ONGC Assam Asset, Nazira, who appreciated NEDF�s consistent endeavour for economically empowering rural artisans through sustainable indigenous crafts. Referring to Swami Vivekananda�s call, Maske urged the artisans to think beyond self and usher in a new era of entrepreneurship from among the underprivileged.
Priyam Hazarika, secretary of NEDF in her speech said that water hyacinth fibre products with a mix of bamboo and cane have earned inspiring response in the international market as a result of which they have been able to expand their working units (clusters) among the rural women of Ailahabi, Rupohimukh, Boliaghat, Rupohibil, Rudrasagar, Radhikanagar and Namdung areas within Sivasagar district.
NEDF provides necessary training to the artisans for creating handicraft products like baskets, lamp sheds, mats, partyware of international standards with beautiful motifs and intricate designs.
She said that their products have a definite North East flavour, which gives them marketing opportunity in domestic as well as abroad, especially in Italy, France, Greece and the Middle East.
She thanked ONGC, Export Promotion Council and Federation of Indian Exports, Jute Board and Trade Promotion Council for extending help to them to grow beyond the national boundary.
The meeting was also attended by Sanjay Goel, CGM, HR/ER of ONGC, Amardeep Sing, incharge of CSR, ONGC, PR Mili, president of AISC/STEWA, ONGC, Jagat Hazarika, secretary of AlSC/STEWA, ONGC, Nekibur Rahman, Principal, SIRD, Ramkrishna Sarma, Assistant Director of Handloom and Textiles, 500 members of the clusters to whom NEDF gave away artisan cards issued by the Union Ministry of Textiles and Handicraft.
Drive against child labour: In the meantime, the Sivasagar district Social Welfare Department in association with the district administration launched a month-long awareness drive against child labour by holding a meeting at the Tarun Sangha here.
Addressing the meeting, Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Dr Laksmanan S called upon the citizens to demonstrate their responsibility towards poor children as they do towards their own.
Everyone should play a proactive role in eliminating child labour, which is a curse on the modern world, said the DC.
Sivasagar Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Junmoni Sonowal in her speech spoke on the legal and social implications of child labour and asked the department concerned to expedite its drive against the social evil.
The meeting was also attended, among others, by Gauripriya Deori, Assistant Commissioner and nodal officer, Hiteswar Ray, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Rituraj Bordoloi, Executive Officer of Sivasagar Municipal Board, Abhinandan Borthakur, District Labour Officer, Dibya Deori, District Child Protection Officer, Monalisha Sarmah, district officer of ICDS and members of the Anganwadi kendras respectively.
