Gangtok, Nov 3 Sikkim Governor Dushyant Gautam on Tuesday called for taking the state’s traditional handicrafts and handloom products to national and international markets through better branding and marketing, saying local artisans deserved wider recognition for their work.
During a visit to the Handicraft and Handloom Department in Gangtok, the governor explored various training and production units and interacted with artisans and trainees involved in preserving the state’s traditional art forms.
According to an official statement issued by Lok Bhavan, Gautam was briefed by Department Secretary Karmada Doma Yutsu and Director T T Bhutia on the department’s functioning and its various initiatives.
The governor visited the traditional weaving unit, where artisans produce woollen textiles featuring designs and patterns reflecting Sikkim’s cultural heritage. He also inspected the multi-craft unit, handicraft training section, wood carving workshop, Thanka painting section and mask-making unit.
He observed how trainees use both traditional and modern techniques to create local fabrics, wooden crafts and Buddhist religious art, including Thanka paintings made with natural colours.
During his interaction with artisans and trainers, Gautam enquired about their sources of inspiration, the training process and the scope for developing designs in line with changing market demands.
He also sought information on employment and income-generation opportunities available to trainees after completing their courses.
Appreciating the dedication of artisans, the governor said traditional crafts were not merely artistic expressions but also an important part of Sikkim’s cultural identity.
Such initiatives, he said, could strengthen the local economy, create self-employment opportunities for rural youth and contribute to women’s empowerment.
The statement said Gautam urged department officials to focus on branding and marketing Sikkim’s handicraft products at the national and international levels to ensure that the state’s traditional art received wider recognition and access to larger markets.
(PTI News)
