ITANAGAR, Aug 7: Governor Brig (Retd) Dr BD Mishra on Sunday called upon the people of the State to take pride in their traditional attires and also promote the same amongst the younger generation, while emphasizing that “they must not forget the gift of their forbearers”.
Attending the National Handloom Day celebration at Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre here, the Governor urged the youth to connect to their roots and practice their traditions. “If they break the connection with their roots, our culture will disappear and this we must not allow to happen,” he said.
While stating that every individual requires three basic things - ‘Roti, Kapda aur Makaan’ (food, clothing and shelter), the Governor advised the people to go for Arunachali organic products for food, use traditional loin loom, handloom woven dresses and ensure toilets in every home.
As part of the celebration, the Governor honoured the weavers with State Awards comprising prize money, memento and a certificate. In the Best Handloom Weavers 2021-22, Bamin Apii of Hapoli, Lower Subansiri district received the first prize, while Kenrik Bagra of Kaba village, Namsai and Rubu Rinyo of Ziro received the second and third prizes respectively.
In the Best Handicrafts Artisans 2021-22, Pokrin Mitkong of Peki Modi village, Upper Siang district received the first prize, while Minjom Pakam of Biru village, Aalo received the second prize and John Paleng of Koreng, Siang district received the third prize.
As part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Governor’s better half Neelam Misra released the promo of a documentary on traditional loin loom weaving titled ‘Celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav through Loin Loom of Arunachal Pradesh’.
Conceptualised by Misra and produced by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, the documentary highlights the roots of loin loom weaving & its history – the traditional attires, the uniqueness and beauty of its products.
To mark the special occasion, the students of Donyi Polo Mission School for the Hearing Impaired presented a patriotic song, while the inmates of Oju Mission presented a one-act play titled ‘Parampara Ek Pehchan’, displaying various traditional attires being passed on from mother to daughter and daughter to grand-daughter amongst the tribal community.
Textile & Handicrafts Minister Tumke Bagra and Secretary (Textile & Handicrafts) Swapnil Naik also spoke on the occasion. Advisor to Textile & Handicrafts Minister, Rode Bui (MLA) also attended the programme.
Earlier, the Governor inaugurated the State Handloom Expo and saw the weaving demonstration of loin loom and Badu loom, and demonstration of hemp peal processing into yarn as also, cardamom peal processing into yarn, natural dyeing process from leaves and plants and the process of handmade paper making by Tawang people. He along with the Minister also interacted with the participating artisans and weavers and complimented them for their unique good works.