A two-month Guru Shishya Hastshilp Prashikshan Program (GSHPP) in cane and bamboo craft was inaugurated at Pheshünyu Village in Nagaland’s Tseminyu district on October 6.
The skill development programme is sponsored by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and organised by the Nagaland State Co-operative Marketing & Consumers’ Federation (MARCOFED) Ltd., Dimapur.
The programme seeks to preserve and promote traditional cane and bamboo craftsmanship by transferring skills from experienced master craftspersons to local artisans. Thirty registered artisans holding valid Handicraft Identity Cards have enrolled for the training.
Sudipta Das, HPO, DC Handicrafts; Thiose Sangtam, Project Officer, MARCOFED; Daniyel, VDB Chairman; Anil Kemp, a State Awardee and master craftsperson in cane and bamboo; representatives of the Pheshünyu Village Council and the participating artisans attended the inaugural event.
Officials stressed the importance of preserving Nagaland’s traditional craftsmanship while providing artisans with modern techniques, quality enhancement and market-oriented skills. The training will follow the traditional Guru-Shishya model under the guidance of master craftsperson Israfil Ali.
The inaugural programme concluded with an orientation session involving the artisans and village council members, with discussions focused on developing sustainable livelihoods through handicrafts.
