‘Bamboo products vital in art and craft promotion’

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 18

In tandem with the celebrations across the globe, the 9th World Bamboo day was celebrated today in the state at Singjamei community hall, Imphal. The theme of the event was E3 – environment, energy and employment.  

While addressing the programme, chief architect of Buddhabir and Association, Th. Buddhabir Singh, speaking as the guest of honour said that bamboo products are taking an important role to promote arts and crafts of the state.

He said that instead of waiting for government jobs, the youths of Manipur should start their own small scale industry of bamboo crafts to make their living. Nowadays bamboo products are replacing other furniture in most of the countries, and the demands are more than the wooden products, he added.    

Member of Bamboo Forum of India, Sukumar Haobam who also spoke on the occasion said that the day is celebrated globally in order to increase awareness of the usefulness of bamboo. The aim of world bamboo organisation is to promote and protect bamboo and to ensure sustainable utilisation of bamboo products throughout the world.

He also said the celebration was first started in 2011 at Singjamei, organised by Bamboo Forum of India under the sponsorship of several department of the state. The main function was plantation of bamboos at different sites, painting competition on the theme of bamboo, bamboo exhibition which included different bamboo cuisines.

Sukumar further said that bamboo is a good substitute of wood and it has carbon sequestration properties which can reduce the global warming.

Deputy director of handloom and textiles, E. Jeeten Singh said bamboo has been in use in the state in different forms since ancient times. Use of bamboo in furniture will be more profitable than wood as they grow faster and get matured in three to four years.

The directorate of textile is planning to give trainings on the uses of bamboo in order to motivate the artisans and entrepreneurs to bring out innovative ideas for the development of state, he added.

The programme was attended by Mayor of IMC, L. Lokeshore Singh as chief guest, advisor of Social Upliftment Organisation, H. Shyamkanhai as president and joint director of University and Higher Education, L. Iboyaima Singh as guest of honour.

A five day bamboo and cane allied craft exhibition was also inaugurated as part of the celebration at Singjamei Community Hall, which will be on till September 22.