Sualkuchi, Aug. 7: National Handloom Day was celebrated with a day-long programme at Srimanta Sankaradeva Natya Ghar in Sualkuchi on Friday under the auspices of the Sualkuchi Weaving Industry Development Committee.
The programme began with the hoisting of the committee’s flag by its president, Dr Nihar Ranjan Kalita. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Rajeev Lochan Santa Deva, Satradhikar of Ishwar Sri Sri Hati Satra, while Nirmala Das paid tribute to late singer Zubeen Garg by lighting a lamp before his portrait.
Addressing the open meeting, Sualkuchi MLA Prakash Chandra Das described the town’s weaving industry as the pride and identity of Assamese society. He announced that a Mega Handloom Cluster would soon become operational in Sualkuchi, saying the project would directly benefit local weavers and help address issues, including wage enhancement.
Das also warned that those attempting to damage Sualkuchi’s handloom industry would be identified and dealt with strictly.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Kalita, was attended by Additional Commissioner Debasish Goswami, economist Roop Phukan, Sualkuchi CIFT Principal Nilanjana Kakati, Zilla Parishad member Dhiraj Mahanta, Sales and Marketing Consultant Satyendra Madhav Sharma and other dignitaries.
During the programme, 12 weavers were honoured with awards, while all registered weavers holding identity cards were presented with wall clocks. The event also featured a choral performance directed by Alok Baishya.
