SUALKUCHI, June 15 � The 15th triennial session of Sualkuchi Tant Silpi Santha, a weavers� association formed in 1971 and affiliated to the Centre of Trade Unions, was held on June 10 at Sualkuchi Model Primary School here with a daylong programme.
On the occasion, the flag was hoisted by Tapan Sarma, secretary, CITU Kamrup district committee, which was followed by tributes to martyrs. Kanak Kalita, president, Sualkuchi Tant Silpi Santha, initiated the floral tribute programme. The weavers� meet was held with Kanak Kalita and Biren Das both the members of the president in the chair. The meeting was attended by 150 weavers along with two observers from CITU Kamrup district committee.
Brigu Ram Das, secretary, Sualkuchi Tant Silpi Santha explained the objectives of the meeting while Tirth Nath Kakati, president, reception committee, welcomed the members present in the meeting. The secretary of the Santha read out the secretarial report and Lakshadhar Kalita, auditor, presented the audited accounts of the santha. The meeting was inaugurated by Bibekananda Adhikary, vice-president, CITU Kamrup.
Adhikary criticised the new economic policy of Central Government and said the problems being faced by the weavers of the silk village is due to direct impact of liberalisation. The condition of the weavers will be more critical, the heritage of muga silk will soon be on the verge of extinction if the corporate houses are allowed to dominate the market. CITU Kamrup district secretary Tapan Sarmah too addressed the meeting.
An open meeting was held at Sri Sri Sankardev Dham. Kanak Kalita, president, Sualkuchi Tant Silpi Santha, presided over the meeting. Participating in the meeting, Tirtha Nath Kakati, former president, Sualkuchi Tant Santha criticised the Congress Government of the State for its �indifferent� attitude towards the protection of handloom industry of Sualkuchi.
New office-bearers of the Santha were elected with Biren Das as president, Arjun Rajbongshi as vice president, Sarbananda Kalita as working president and Bhrigu Ram Das as secretary, Khanin Moral and Chandan Baishya as assistant secretaries.
