WBKVIB to set up cluster to revive handloom

Kolkata: In a bid to revamp the loom industry at Kenjakura in Bankura, the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board (WBKVIB) is setting up a Weaver's Cluster in the hamlet. As part of the cluster, a Common Facility Centre (CFC) will

come up for training the weavers and make them equipped with the latest designs and diversification of products that are in demand in modern market.

WBKVIB CEO Mrityunjoy Bandyopadhyay will visit Kenjakura on Thursday for the formal launch of the cluster.

"There was a time when more than 700 weavers were involved in weaving activities. However, now there are only 200 people in this

profession. Their sales dwindled and they were deprived of their value for hard labour due to dispute among the top brass of the co-operative societies. Many have shunned this profession and taken to other vocations after facing losses. Our aim is to bring them to weaving again," a senior official of WBKVIB said.

Officials of the Khadi Board had completed the ground work in the village and have found out that many of them who have shunned this profession and are willing to make a comeback if the state government provides a little bit help and encouragement to them. "The CFC will have as many as 50 looms. Those who are interested to work in the CFC can do it there while others can do it in his preferred place also. We will provide them training in the latest design so that they can diversify their product in accordance with the demand of the current market," Bandyopadhyay said.

The state government is investing Rs 7.5 crore over a period of three years for development of the cluster that will come up on a land of around 8 cottah.

The loom weavers in this area are known for their skill and dexterity but presently with so many weavers leaving this profession they are producing only

gamuchas, bed sheets and bed covers. "We want them to make cotton sarees, dhuti etc as we are hopeful their products will be of great demand in the market," a senior official said.

In the days to come WBKVIB has plans to train them in manufacturing khadi clothes.

After coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took initiatives to nurture the weaving skills of weavers of Howrah Udaynarayanpur into weaving. The muslin-khadi material they produce have received widespread accolades from fashion designers and connoisseurs from the country.