The Tana Bana District Handloom Expo was inaugurated by Tokugha Achumi, Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland, at SkyGarden, Chümoukedima, on January 23. The event was organized by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce with the Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) as the expo partner. It was funded by the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Speaking at the inaugural program, Tokugha Achumi mentioned that the WENN Bazaar, which took place in October last year, left a lasting impression on him. This led the department to decide to support WENN by assisting in organizing another event in the form of the district expo for the benefit of both upcoming and established entrepreneurs. Achumi also noted the significant increase in start-ups in Nagaland and how even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pointed it out in a recent speech.
“When appreciation is coming even from the prime ministerial level, we have to do something,” he said, calling on the participants to use the opportunity to showcase their products and explore new ways to present them.
Earlier, Zakietsono Jamir, Public Relations, WENN, delivered the welcome address and chaired the event. Vekuvolu Dozo, founder of Viko Ethnic, shared her experiences as a struggling small-scale weaver and how she now owns her enterprise and provides employment to several other weavers. Though she won state and national awards last year, the journey has not been easy.
However, it was through hard work, collaborations with the Industries Department, and exposure through WENN that she was able to scale up, Dozo said. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Regina Chakrunuo, Community Head of WENN. Sarbeswar Das, the Assistant Director of the Weavers’ Service Centre, Toluvi, was also present at the inaugural program.