The “Hathkargha Mela – State Handloom Expo #VIRASAT” at Morigaon, Assam under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) was inaugurated with grandeur on December 13, 2024, at the Morigaon H.S. & M.P. School Playground (Near Gandhi Bhavan), Morigaon Town, Assam. Organized by the North East People’s Development Federation (NEPDF), Assam, the expo will continue from December 12 to 25, 2024, for 14 days.
This significant event is sponsored by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi, in association with the Tiwa Autonomous Council, Government of Assam, Morigaon. The inauguration ceremony, held at 2:30 PM, witnessed the presence of thousands of weavers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and members of the local public from Morigaon district and nearby areas.
Shri Khagen Bordoloi, Hon’ble Executive Member, Tiwa Autonomous Council, Morigaon, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Smt. Orpah Baglary, ACS, Principal Secretary, Tiwa Autonomous Council, Morigaon and Chairman of NEPDF, attended as the Key Guest. Shri N. N. Rana Patgiri, Principal Advisor, NEPDF, presided over the event as President. Special guests included Smt. Anushuya Sharma, ACS, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Morigaon District, Government of Assam, and Shri Hara Kanta Baro, Regional Director (NER), Guwahati, Development Commissioner for Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Officials from the Weavers’ Service Centre (WSC), Guwahati, Shri Jayant B. Mangalpalli, Assistant Director (Design), and Md. Asif, Junior Assistant, WSC and official from Handloom & Textiles, Govt. of Assam, Morigaon, Smt. Archana Shyam, Circle Inspector were also present, alongside NEPDF’s Executive Member, Shri Kamal Kumar Baruah and Director & CEO, Shri Bidyut Rana Patgiri. A highlight of the expo is the Theme Pavilion, showcasing the latest hand-woven textiles developed by the Weavers’ Service Centre, Guwahati.
The pavilion also features a rich display of Tiwa Traditional Dresses, Aronai (GI), Gamusa of Assam (GI), and other tribal handloom designs, celebrating the region’s cultural and artistic diversity. The Hathkargha Mela serves as a platform to promote Assam’s rich handloom heritage and foster direct market linkages for artisans and weavers, empowering them and ensuring the sustainability of the handloom industry. The expo features a variety of traditional and innovative handloom products and cultural exhibits. NEPDF invites everyone to visit the expo and experience the vibrant celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and tradition.
For more details, please contact: North East People’s Development Federation (NEPDF)
Email: nepdfassam@gmail.com.
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