By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, March 26: At a time when employment prospect is shrinking in all spheres at an alarming rate, the Ukhrul District Handloom and Handicraft Federation (UDHHCF), an Ukhrul based society working for preservation of Tangkhul traditional values through artistic creations, comes to the rescue of over twenty thousand weavers and artisans of the district and provide them with options to make a living.
Convenor of the federation, Raiping in an interaction with media persons here said that currently a total of 150 Weavers Co-operative Societies and 100 SHGs are already operating under UDHHCF whose office is located at Phungreitang West in Ukhrul town.
“Altogether we have twenty one thousand weavers and handicraft artisans who are earning their livelihoods under this federation.”
Our federation was instituted in the 2011 and during this span of two years, we have addressed unemployment issue in a big way, Raiping asserted.
“Any weaver who works in the production earns Rs 8000 to 20000 per month depending upon the quantity of work they do.” he further revealed.
“Our products include traditional clothing, handicrafts, embroidery and flower items,” Raiping said before adding “today our products are gaining popularity among other communities and thus demands for our products are rising these days.”
Disclosing that the society already has showrooms at Ukhrul, Imphal and Delhi, he exuded hope that it now plans to open showrooms at Somra Track, Shillong and also abroad in Mandalay.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/03/ukhrul-handloom-society-dares-where-govt-fails/