AZARA, Dec 26 - A four-day long training programme on jacquard handloom weaving was formally inaugurated on December 24 at AVA Creations, Matia, Kahikuchi under �Samarth� Scheme for capacity building in the Textile sector by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and implemented by the Central Silk Board, Bengaluru.
Speaking as the chief guest at the function, the local MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, called upon the weavers to be economically dependent. Kalita also asked the weavers to maintain the quality and standard with the changing situations and demands in the market. He further assured all types of help and cooperation to AVA Creations and the weavers. Jayanta Deva Sarma, Deputy Director, Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, Government of Assam, Sarbeswar Das, Assistant Director, Weavers Service Centre, Hemanta Kalita from Indian Institute of Enterpreneurship, Sayendra Kr Nath, Inspector, Directorate of Handloom and Textiles, Parameswar Barma, president, Rani Anchalik Panchayat, Jagannath Thakuria, president, Kahikuchi Gaon Panchayat also addressed the function among others.
Earlier, Anu Mandal, chairman, AVA Foundation gave the welcome address and explained the objectives of the foundation. Arup Baishya, co-founder of AVA Creations told ANN Service that the foundation began functioning in December, 2017 at Matia Pahar under Kahikuchi Gaon Panchayat on the outskirts of Guwahati city. Baishya also informed that the objectives of the foundation was to create a ray of hope for the people living on the hills, to create an alternative livelihood for those people and to maintain ecological balance. He also added that there are 25 such weaver centres in different parts of Rani area with a total of 250 weavers who are being trained in skill development from time to time. The handloom products are eing sold through the online market, Baishya added.