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DIMAPUR — Nagaland now has a Bamboo-Based Crafts Concentration Centre, which will focus on lending a new narrative to traditional crafts by making it more relatable and contemporary.
During the inauguration of the centre in Sovima on Wednesday, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the government was proud to have such an institution being set up in the state.
He congratulated Jesmina Zeliang and the Sustainable Livelihood Multipurpose Cooperative Society (SLMCS), Dimapur, who will be spearheading the implementation alongside the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Centre (NECBDC), while acknowledging the North East Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for funding it.
Calling it a 'red letter day,' Rio said the centre is a milestone in Zeliang’s entrepreneurial journey, expressing confidence in its evolution into a 'centre of excellence' with numerous success stories.
He reminded the state government’s endeavours to promote Naga cultural traditions and crafts since his first term as chief minister in 2003. Despite the implementation of numerous skilling programmes, artisans and craftspeople struggle to uphold consistency in both quality and quantity of their products, and efforts go to waste, he observed.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]In this context, the CM described Zeliang as an exemplary figure of consistency and commitment. Being one of the pioneers in the industry, she has persevered for the last three decades to reach this level and establish a centre that will benefit not just herself but many others, he said.
While emphasising the need for a mechanism to ensure quality control, he said the government is considering the establishment of bodies at tribal and state levels for this purpose. These bodies, he said, will review and approve designs, motifs, or patterns intended for commercial production, ensuring the commercial viability of 'made in Nagaland' products.
Rio highlighted the government’s initiative to upgrade state emporiums in cosmopolitan cities, with an aim to sell selling only products made in Nagaland. He also mentioned the significance of 'road shows' synchronised with tribal festivals in all the districts, providing platforms for Naga people to showcase and sell their products. These festivals which culminate with the Hornbill Festival, serve as key avenues to promote livelihoods and exhibit various products to a diverse audience globally, he maintained.
Reiterating the importance of quality control, he said that funds are being infused into the women development department and other stakeholders in the handloom sector to foster, conserve, and enhance handlooms and handicrafts and generate sustainable livelihoods.
Handloom, handicrafts and traditional arts must be preserved for future generations, he said while expressing hope that the centre would become an incubation centre for Nagas to excel.
In her welcome note, Jesmina Zeliang maintained that the centre was a testament of the SLMCS’ “commitment to promote, preserve and continue with our traditional skills and practices as also to explore finding options for employment generation through bamboo based craft activities.”
She outlined the centre’s role in exploring options for employment generation through bamboo-based craft activities, introducing innovation, and lending a new narrative to existing crafts. The centre is envisioned as a vibrant space for artisans, designers, interns, students, craft enthusiasts, and cultural aficionados.
Having been in this sector for the last three decades, Zeliang explained that the conception of the centre stemmed from a critical need for an integrated space that would only offer crafts an elevated platform but also provide a conducive environment for an enriching experience.
Taking into account this wealth of experience and identified requirements, the society has thoughtfully taken care of all the verticals to provide a holistic experience, she said.
Stating that products made in Nagaland will never be able to increase footprints in the industry if there is no uniformity in production, Zeliang said that a training centre and full-fledged workshop has been set up at the Bamboo-Based Crafts Concentration Centre.
Another key feature is the gallery, housing a curated collection of crafts gathered diligently over the years. We believe this gallery to serve as a window into our past and present, she said. Alongside the gallery is a design studio which has already garnered acclaim for its products and furniture, employing craft as a primary medium.
The centre also features a retail section showcasing textiles and merchandise from brands such as Heirloom Naga, Urra Designs and Cane Concepts that have been instrumental in spotlighting made in Nagaland goods to the international communities, and are being sold in well entrenched international stores and luxury labels.
Other features include a common facility centre as well and an eatery which will focus on promoting local indigenous food.
Meanwhile, guests of honour, Secretary of NEC, Moses Chalai and MD of NECBDC, MC Omi Ningshem also spoke at the event, highlighting the economic growth potential in the North East region.
Chalai noted that there is ‘so much happening’ in the region in terms of avenues for economic growth but the pace of income and job generation do not match the vibrant activities currently unfolding.
He said that with the opening of Matarbari Port deep sea port in Bangladesh by 2027, the NE region would be opened to the world for economic activities and added that Nagaland should take advantage it.
Ningshem expressed his satisfaction with his association with the centre and conveyed his willingness to continue partnering in the future. Additionally, he highlighted that the NECBDC is actively advocating for the potential of bamboo resources as an alternative asset, given their regional heritage and easy accessibility.
Earlier, the Chief Minister and guests of honour received felicitations from artisans, and a bamboo artisan from Aboi in Mon district shared a testimonial. Words of gratitude were proposed by retired IAS officer HK Khulu, and the opening prayer was delivered by Rev. Khriezovi Kiso of Baptist Revival Church, Kuda.