Wokha, March 28 (MExN): A soft skill training programme for ST artisans under human resource development scheme sponsored by Development Commissioner (Handicraft) under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, was organised by the Nagaland Directorate of Industries & Commerce was held Wokha on March 27.
Programme Manager, Development Commissioner (Handicraft) Dinesh Kr Pal elaborated on the department’s objectives; of which the office is the nodal agency in the government of India for craft and artisan based activities, a press release informed on Sunday.
The release stated that the office assists in the development, marketing and export of handicrafts, and the promotion of craft forms and skills. Dinesh further said that the department’s vision is to make artisans self empowered in handicraft sector with strong finances, with special focus on Nagaland and entire north east region. He also shared about new marketing policies and for possession of Artisan ID Card.
Executive Engineer, DIC, Kohima, Er Asenla Walling called on the artisans to avail the benefits by registering their names for Artisan ID Cards. As per the release, Walling stated that ‘Artisans are one of the foundations of Naga society’ and encouraged them to continue producing their finest products. She also announced the launch of the ‘Bamboo craft,’ which is an integrated design and technical development workshop under design and up-gradation scheme craft. Informing that the workshop would be conducted next month, she requested all interested artisans and SHGs to enroll their names at the DIC, Wokha.
Production Manager, DIC KOhima, Hokeshe K Zhimomi highlighted the benefits of Artisan ID Cards and informed that anyone who possessed the card can avail loans amounting to Rs 50,000 from banks, with less interest for promotion of his or her unit.
The release further stated that Lalit Babu, APO and Amit Yadav, designer, both from Development Commissioner (handicraft) also spoke during the programme. Participants including artisans, entrepreneurs and SHGs attended the programme and hundreds of youths enrolled their names for Artisans ID Cards, it added.
