Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 24 (EMN): The second edition of Nagaland handmade jewellery exhibition (NHJE) 2021 was held at The Heritage in Kohima on Friday.
Altogether, nine jewellery brands and three handmade hubs from across the state showcased their creations and designs. The second edition was presented by Pipo.
Speaking on the occasion, advisor to the chief minister, Abu Metha, said that government of Nagaland would make efforts to support creative people and promote start-ups through Nagaland Start-up policy following pragmatism and meritocracy. He, therefore, sought support from the innovators and creators to achieve the policy.
According to Metha, designers are people who preserve and promote Naga culture. It is they, who reflect Naganess and take the culture across boundaries. This was because Naga race have used jewelleries in various forms and it symbolises Naga heritage and culture.
He encouraged designers and creators of jewelleries to continue pursuing and take Naga stories to the outside world in a brave manner. He also advised them to take advantage of social media platforms and digitised their products as online sales are now growing while physical shops sales lesser these days.
While pointing out that jewellery is one of the biggest industries in the world market, he urged jewellery designers and creators to further pursue their passion.
“Young minds in the state are as innovative as others, if not, more,” he said and asked them to be brave and know that any height could be reached through hard work.
He went on to add that jewellery had been part of human being from the time of the earliest civilisation adding that various forms of civilisation and every period has its own form of jewellery. He also stated that even today, jewelleries and ornaments are interesting part of every race. It has so many signs and symbols and they reflect so many things, he said.
The event was one of the first of its kind to pursue Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Earlier, proprietor of Pipo and NHJE, Thungchibemo N Ezung, informed that the focus of the event revolves around three of the 17 SDG goals, which included no poverty (1), gender equality (5) and decent work and economic growth (8).
Officer assigned with the SDGCC under Planning and Co-ordination department, Kekhrie M Sekhose, spoke on the three SDG gaols of the event. He informed that the department, which recently launched SGD vision document of the state would support innovative project.