2-day craft bazaar begins at NIFT Shillong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 16: A two-day Craft Bazaar 2023 organised by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Shillong was inaugurated by the Director of Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Haj Dodung today at Umsawli.

ALSO READ: 'Meghalaya Govt keen to complete HNLC peace talks', says Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong

Dodung said that NIFT, Shillong has done commendable work by organising such a programme and creating a platform for artisans to showcase their work and sell their products.

He emphasized the importance of supporting artisans, who are the backbone of the economy, to preserve the tradition of arts and crafts, even in the fast-paced digital world.

The Commissioner and Secretary, Election Department & Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, IAS spoke about the importance of contemporizing ethnicity and folk stories in handloom and handicraft of the region.

While speaking at the launch of the event, the Campus Director Shri Shankar Kumar Jha expressed his appreciation for the artisans’ work and emphasized the critical role that institutions such as NIFT play in promoting and showcasing the unique and creative crafts of India globally in collaboration with artisan community.

The Craft Bazaar is a unique initiative of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, designed to provide a platform for artisans of Handicrafts and Handlooms to showcase their work and sell their products.

Artisans from 23 clusters of North East India were invited to participate in the Craft Bazaar 2023, where they displayed their unique and creative crafts. The display left the attendees impressed and fascinated, some of the crafts on display included native beads and Viko from Nagaland, handlooms from Aizawl and Guwahati and weaving of Meghalaya.

The two-day Craft Bazaar will conclude on March 17, 2023, and is open to the general public, who can visit the NIFT campus and buy handicrafts and handlooms directly from the artisans.

NIFT-Shillong to host 2-day Craft bazaar

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Shillong will be hosting a two-day Craft Bazaar on March 16-17 at the NIFT campus in Umsawli Mawpat.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Cave in East Jaintia Hills now 7th longest in India

The event is inspired by Father of the Nation-Mahatma Gandhi’s “Swadeshi Movement” and will be showcasing a diverse range of handloom and handicrafts from North East India.

Craft Bazaar 2023 is intended to promote and empower artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs of the North Eastern Region. The Chief Guest for the occassion will be Haj Dodung, Director of Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The Inaugural function is scheduled to start at 10 A.M.

About 14 stalls will be exhibiting and selling exquisite works of 22 artisans and weavers from the NE region including Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya.

The stalls will be showcasing products like Cane-Bamboo, Jewelry, Handloom, Weaving, Embroidery, Dry Flowers, Black Pottery, Textiles, and many more.

Opposition will keep govt on its toes: Ronnie V Lyngdoh, CLP Leader

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh has stated that the opposition bench will ensure that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-2 government is put on its toes and works for the interest of the people.

Lyngdoh told reporters today that the question of who will be leader of opposition is therefore irrelevant because the three political parties will play the role of a constructive opposition.

The combined strength of the opposition bench is 14 of which 5 are from Congress, 5 All India Trinamool Congress and 4 Voice of the People Party.

The Mylliem legislator however said that if one goes by convention then the post of leader of opposition should go to the Congress, being a national party.

“But then we will work it out as we are there to provide constructive opposition. If as a constructive opposition we can ensure the state benefits, I think that will serve the purpose,” he stated.

The three opposition parties had tried to form an alternative government with the United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party and People’s Democratic Front but failed after two HSPDP MLAs decided to support the NPP.

Later, the UDP and PDF also went to extend full support to the Conrad K Sangma-led government.

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “I think they (HSPDP, UDP, PDF) have opted for a better option ‘stability’ for the state.”

“I hope this stability will ensure development and prosperity for the people of the state which is badly required,” he added.

He further urged the new government to take all basic necessities be it health infrastructure, education sector and others into consideration and “ensure in the next five years the state moves forward in every sphere be it in infrastructure, be it in social sector, be it in any sector.”