State Level Award for Handicraft and Tribal Textile for the year 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 held in Kohima.
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DIMAPUR — The State Level Award for Handicraft and Tribal Textile for the year 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 was held at the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Kohima, on Thursday.
Addressing the event, Director of Industries & Commerce, P Tokugha Sema, congratulated the awardees, saying such occasions are celebrated to impact livelihood, society, and the state, a DIPR report stated.
The director called the awards significant achievements with purpose and meaning. Tokugha explained the selection process, noted the judges' challenges, and thanked the awardees for their contributions.
He also informed that the Ministry of Textiles under the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has recently announced to nominate two awardees under the special category.
He encouraged the awardees to keep promoting their traditional trade using their talents, so they gain government recognition. He also urged them not to commercialise their products solely for profit, but to inspire other artisans in the state. Additionally, the director announced that the awardees would receive a monthly pension of INR 8000 after turning 60.
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Executive Engineer and Programme Officer (Textiles), Aenla Walling, said the department aims to honour the artisans' dedication that keeps heritage crafts like nettle weaving, wood carving, and pottery alive.
She added that their work carries the stories and skills of their people and land. Walling also highlighted the issue of copied designs flooding markets and urged support for fair platforms that value their efforts, protecting unique designs.
In her welcome address, Additional Director of Industries & Commerce, T LemnonWangsha said that the state level award programme is a celebration of rich cultural heritage, which reflects the creativity, skill and dedication of many Naga artisans and weavers.
Wangsha said these rich handicrafts and tribal textiles are a symbol of their identity and a vital livelihood source. She stated that through the state-level award, the Department of Industries & Commerce recognises and honour artisans preserving traditional knowledge and showcasing creativity and skill.
A short speech on behalf of the awardees was proposed by Maopha. The the programme was chaired by Joint Director of Industries & Commerce, Hojeto K Suqhe.
The awardees for State Level Award for the year 2024–2025 are Kudulhu for pottery and clay, B TemjenPongen for scrap-metal and bone-carving, Mannyei Konyak for wood and stone carving, Asenla Imsong for crochet, K Tokpon for crochet, and Tiarenla Jamir for crochet
The awardees for the State Level Award for the year 2025–2026 are Maopha for brass, Imsuyanger for woodwork, Bumang Hoba for cane and bamboo, Kelhoutshevi Kehie for cane and bamboo, Vikhoto Meyase for cane and bamboo.
The awardees in the special category are K Shahlem (wood carving) and Imnasunep (cane and bamboo).