Guwahati, 7th August: On National Handloom Day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the launch of a state-of-the-art Integrated Handloom Centre in Bokakhat, with an investment of Rs 56 crore. This facility aims to revolutionize the handloom industry by offering comprehensive services from thread extraction to weaving and dyeing, providing a platform for traditional Assamese weavers to display and sell their products.
The Centre will feature a dedicated marketing complex designed to attract tourists, including those visiting the nearby Kaziranga National Park. It will offer visitors a unique opportunity to observe the traditional weaving process behind Assam’s iconic garments, such as the Gamosa, which has gained national recognition and is often worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam’s youth.
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted Assam’s rich handloom heritage, citing the historical Brindabani Bastra, a massive textile created by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev centuries ago.
The government has also enacted measures to protect local weavers by banning the import of Gamosas and expanding this policy to other traditional textiles. Additionally, the state has committed to buying unsold Gamosas and other handloom products worth Rs 100 crores, providing economic security to local artisans.
With 67,000 weavers in Golaghat district alone expected to benefit, the Integrated Handloom Centre is poised to significantly boost Assam’s handloom industry and reinforce the government’s dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship.
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