Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday inaugurated Bamboo Based Crafts Concentration Centre in Sovima, Chümoukedima. The centre is the first of its kind in Nagaland.
This was informed in a post shared by the Chief Minister on X where he congratulated the proprietors Jesmina Zeliang and her son Aku Zeliang and stated that the centre will pave way for ‘Made in Nagaland’ products to reach the different corners of the world.
He also thanked the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) for funding the Bamboo Based Crafts Concentration Centre through North Eastern Council (NEC) and implemented by Sustainable Livelihood Multipurpose Co-op Society Ltd. Sovima, Dimapur and North East Cane & Bamboo Development Council, Byrnihat, Assam.
Further, CM Rio informed that the centre will offer facilities such as workshop, design studio, gallery, retail, hostel etc. “I am confident it will play a pivotal role in offering space to usher-in an enabling & immersive crafts experience & help generate livelihood opportunities,” he said in another post on the micro blogging platform.
(PC: @Neiphiu_Rio/X)
He also reminded that the Nagaland Government had announced its Bamboo Policy on 15th March 2004 and established the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency for the promotion of bamboo-based activities, to balance ecological security, to promote economic growth and to utilize the bamboo resources in the state.
Emphasizing the preservation of handloom, handicrafts and traditional arts for the future generation, CM Rio maintained that the State Government making serious efforts with regard to this.
“We are making capital investments through the Women Dev. Dept., Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Dev. Corporation Ltd. & other stakeholders in the handloom sector. At my level, I have conducted strategic consultative meetings & the concerned depts. are making follow-up strategies,” he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed confidence that the Bamboo Based Crafts Concentration Centre will emerge as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ and that “many success stories will take seed from here.”
