Tawang, May 9: A one-day awareness workshop for artisans was successfully conducted at Zomkhang Hall here on Friday, as part of the Comprehensive Handicraft Cluster Development Scheme, organized by the Department of Industries, Tawang in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata, under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles and Handicraft, Govt of India.
The workshop was inaugurated by in-charge Deputy Commissioner Sangey Wangmu Mosobi in presence of Jayati Mukherjee, Associate Professor & Chairperson, Accessory Design, NIFT Kolkata; Sanjay Kumar Das, Associate Professor and Centre Coordinator, Leather Design, NIFT, Deputy Director of Industries (Tawang) Tsering Drema and In-charge ADTH Lobsang Wangmu. The event witnessed participation from over 100 artisans from various villages of Tawang, including Self-Help Groups members and traditional weavers.
In her inaugural address, the DC expressed gratitude to the NIFT Kolkata team for their impactful initiative and emphasized the importance of preserving the rich textile and handicraft traditions of the tribal communities of Tawang. She highlighted how these crafts, rooted in self-sustainability, have historically provided livelihoods, and encouraged artisans to embrace modern tools and market opportunities to enhance product quality and outreach.
Prof Jayati Mukherjee said that the workshop was part of Phase 2 of the awareness initiative, following earlier sessions conducted in Namsai and Eastern Arunachal. She urged artisans to adopt modern communication technologies and online platforms to reach wider markets and noted NIFT’s four-decade-long association with the promotion and design development of Indian handicrafts.
During the technical sessions, experts from NIFT introduced participants to modern production techniques, design innovations, and marketing strategies, alongside detailed information about government schemes supporting traditional artisans and weavers. The sessions aimed to build the artisans' capacities while ensuring the essence of their cultural heritage remains intact.
DDI Tsering Drema commended the active participation of artisans and SHG members. This initiative reflects a significant step forward to empowering traditional artisans and fostering sustainable livelihoods through innovation, collaboration, and heritage preservation. (DIPRO)