Tips From Heartland, South For Craftsmen

Visitors admire jewellery at the Cluster Conclave in Guwahati on Monday.

Guwahati, Sep 1 : Woodcarvers of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and goldsmiths of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh have helped the carpenters of Baktawng in Mizoram and jewellery makers of Manipur to add quality to their products for better market and value.

The products were displayed at the Cluster Conclave organised by the IIE (Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship), which concluded in Guwahati today.

The artisans from Mizoram and Manipur said the training has provided them access to new technology, which will help their products secure better markets now.

“We did not have access to better tools and hence our products lacked quality. The trip to Saharanpur has helped us to acquire designing skills and gather knowledge to make our products more competitive in the market,” Mawiluizela, a resident of Baktawng of Mizoram, told The Telegraph today.

Baktawng is 70km from Aizawl and is famous for its fine carpentry and wood carvings.

The total number of households in the villages is 140 of which 85 are engaged in wood carpentry.

The training in Saharanpur, internationally famous for its wood carving industry, has helped the artisans of this Mizoram village to enrich the designs and the quality of the wood carvings, which were earlier considered simple.

The finished wooden products of Baktawng cluster include door panels, ventilation frames, tables and dining tabless.

A common facility centre at this village in Mizoram has been sanctioned by the Union ministry of micro small and medium enterprises, which would help them in getting necessary tools.

“It has also helped them in opening up their world outlook and learning new facets, which would help them in getting good markets,” said Sriparna Baruah who heads the Regional Resource Centre that is responsible for cluster development at the IIE.

Similarly, the artisans from the Greater Imphal Jewellery Cluster had gone to Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh to learn about the tools for jewellery.

“We had engaged a new designer for the cluster and she has given 15 new designs by blending the intricate Manipuri designs with modern looks thereby introducing costume jewellery in the cluster,” Baruah said.

The Greater Imphal Jewellery Cluster has two villages within its fold, Malom and Kanglambam, which are spread within a radius of 5km.

“People of Manipur love gold jewellery. There are units in the cluster that exclusively make ornaments, which are intricately and traditionally designed for various occasions,” Baruah said.