Weavers Seek Handloom Cluster at Tihu in Assam

Guwahati, Apr 27 : An NGO, ‘Asomi Rural Development Society’ has been devising various schemes for the overall development of rural traditional weavers dwelling in clusters including villages such as Makhibaha, Jalkhana and Kathalmura near Tihu in Assam.

People of this cluster area were producing sky, charka, bamboo reed, bobbin, etc., and selling them in the local markets, but these traditional weavers didn’t receive support from the government or any of the semi-government organizations.

However, in the year 2004-2005, ‘Asomi Rural Development Society’ took steps to help the weavers by forming ‘self-help groups’ (SHGs). It has also been taking various other significant measures to encourage these weavers.

In 2007, the NGO had formed ‘Gamosa SHG Federation’ of over 60 handloom SHGs on a cluster basis, and opened a marketing outlet at Tihu with the support of NABARD.

The marketing outlet has been providing services since past three years with encouraging sale proceeds. This outlet witnessed business of Rs.698,000 in 2007-08 and in 2009-10 sales of this outlet went up to Rs 1.17 million.

The steps taken by the NGO for these people made them happy who urged NABARD to set up a ‘handloom cluster’ facilitated with all kinds of infrastructural amenities.

[ via Fibre2fashion ]