Technology expo for handloom weavers begins in Berhampur

An ‘appropriate technology exhibition’ for weavers of Ganjam district was inaugurated at Ganjam Kala Parishad premises in Berhampur. This exhibition has been organised by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms of Central government and it would continue till December 8. Berhampur is hosting such an exhibition for the first time. The aim of this exhibition was to make the traditional weavers know about the recent technical developments that can enhance their skill and production. The stalls setup in this exhibition showcase machineries and technical know how that could be adapted by the local weavers. Surendra Kumar Patra, the assistant director of weaver service centre said in a phased manner weavers from all parts of Ganjam district would be brought to this exhibition.

Source: The Sambad

On the inaugural day, silk weavers of Berhampur city attended the exhibition. It may be noted that silk pattu sarees produced in Berhampur give it the name ‘silk city’. Around 1,200 weaver families live in different parts of Ganjam district. Out of them around 250 live in Berhampur. There were two handloom clusters in Ganjam district, one in Berhampur and other at Aska.

Among the displays for weavers there were innovative machines designed for handloom sector in recent past. Dipak Bharali from Assam had come over with his newly designed machine that reduces time and labour for making designs through weaving. Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem also displayed its new cost effective innovative machines for handloom weavers. Central Silk Board opened up a stall to educate weavers regarding silk yarn and its handling while preparing textile. Dye manufacturers from Kolkata and Mumbai also attended this exhibition to provide latest techniques in dyeing. A youth of Nuapatna area of Odisha, Antaryami Tosh who has designed and patented four spindle domestic bobbin winding machine was also a major attraction of this exhibition.

The inaugural function of the exhibition was attended by several experts and officials of handloom sector. They included Sunder Lal, zonal director of Weavers’ Service Centre, Guwahati, S.K.Ghosh, assistant director of Central Silk Board, Kolakata, senior scientist of Central Silk Board, Cuttack, B.K.Soni, Upendra Kumar Debata, assistant director of textiles etc. Source: The Hindu