Duda trains craftsmen from eastern Nagaland

Kohima, Oct 5 (EMN): The department of Underdeveloped Areas (Duda) conducted a weeklong training programme as part of an initiative to train craftsmen from the area and develop the handicrafts industry in eastern Nagaland. The training programme was conducted in the Duda guest house in Kohima, updates on Saturday stated. The training and “skill improvisation workshop” commenced on September 30 and concluded on October 5. 10 craftsmen attended the event, the updates stated. During the event the joint director of Duda, Dr. Anungla Imdong Phom said that the training was the ‘first of its kind’ and was being conducted by the department through the Underdeveloped Areas Programme (UDAP) for 2018-19 as a pilot project in collaboration with Zynorique Initiatives Society, and Purple Tulip Bangalore and Kharu Design Dimapur as training partners. Phom said that the craftsmen were selected ‘representing each tribe of the area with a view to improve the traditional bamboo, cane and wooden crafts, which they are making into saleable products’ beyond the state. During the weeklong training programme, the craftsmen were given designs and samples of products that the companies require for the market ‘in order to upgrade traditional skills to requirements and demand of the market,’ she said. As part of the programme, she said, the department will be providing the required machinery besides other support. This is to make different products which companies will be buying back from them, and ultimately enhance their economic condition, the official said. The products will be marketed through the ‘Anghya brand-Mongken,’ which is for apparel and lifestyle, she said. Also, the director of Duda KS Anden Konyak said the trained craftsmen should engage in imparting the knowledge in their community when they return to their respective area. He assured that the Duda will extend all support to establish market linkage through the two companies, and also provide more such skill development opportunities to them. Purple Tulip’s head of designs Greeshma Gowda and product designer Aditi Kabra and principal designer of Kharu Design Menuolhoulie Kire were the training partners. They said to buy back the finished products and provide market linkages to the craftsmen, the updates stated. They expressed satisfaction at the samples made by the craftsmen, the reports stated. The proprietor of Zynorique Initiative Society Richard Belho informed that the two companies would be taking the designs to their respective company and thereafter add their own designs to meet the market demand, the updates stated.