On the occasion of National Handloom Day, Chandraprabha Saikiani Centre for Women Studies in collaboration with Tezpur Mahila Samiti organised a one day programme on “Weaver’s Meet” to honour the female weavers of Assam on 7th August, 2023. A total of 120 weavers were present for the event. The host, Srimati Manokhi Dutta, began the program with an introductory note on the history of Tezpur Mahila Samiti and how the organisation, with the help of Gandhi contributed to India’s Swadeshi Movement. After the introductory speech, the members of the Samiti presented an Assamese song accompanied with tabla and harmonium, composed by legendary icon of Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The host invited the esteemed guests of the day, Tezpur University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Shambhu Nath Singh, the Master Trainer for weavers, Srimati Runa Bora, President of Tezpur Mahila Samiti Srimati Anita Goswami, Dr. Mridul Dutta of Tezpur University and Dr. Madhurima Goswami, HOD of Centre for Women Studies, Tezpur University who were felicitated by the Samiti member.

Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, talked about how on 7th August 2015, in Chennai, Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Modi had started National Handloom Day to spread awareness about the importance of handloom industry to the Indian economy and culture. Prof. Nath also talked about how weaving has a deep-rooted history with our fight for Independence against the British. He also talked about how this industry boost the Indian village economy and how it has made the Indian weaving women self-reliant. Dr. Mridul Dutta from Tezpur University contributed to the recognition of the Assamese Gamusa as the Geographical Identification of Assam. His work began from the year 2019-2020 and discussed about the types of Gamusa, about the laws and the pilot websites he has created. www.gamusha.org) and (www.hipini.in).

The Master Trainer of Weavers, Srimati Runa Bora was excited about the event and shared how her family is a generation of weavers, and how she got into the weaving culture. She shared about her hardships and her struggle. Today, she helps village women to be self-reliant, self-sufficient. She has trained about 130 women. The Master Trainer also contributed to Dr.Mridul Dutta’s project. The event was blessed with the sudden presence of the District Handloom Officer Shri Prashanta Rompi, who was felicitated by Srimati Monika Gohain. Shri Rompi, began his speech by talking about how the National Handloom Day came into being, and about the government initiatives to uplift and empower the amazing women engaged in the weaving industry. Shri Rompi also talked about the government initiatives of loan and insurances provided to the female weavers of Assam.

Srimati Anita Goswami, President of Tezpur Mahila Samiti talked about how weavers and handloom were powerful tools for the fight for Independence and how it celebrated with Azadi ka Mahotsav. The President also talked about how to carry on the mission further to empower the weavers of Assam. She also, shared the news which ruptured thunder applause that each co-operate weaver of the society would be a shareholder, leading the weaver audience feel a sense of pride and glory. Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University handed a share to each weaver. Followed by the speech of two weavers Srimati Madhavi Bora and Bina Milli. Both the weavers spoke with great pride about their art and culture leaving a strong impact on the audience.

Dr. Madhurima Goswami, HOD of Centre for Women Studies, showered the weavers with encouraging words. Dr. Goswami talked about the changing weaving scenario, despite that, she said Assamese female weavers are soaring great heights. Preserving the Assamese weaving culture, is a huge responsibility of the weavers, the state government and the people of Assam. The Assamese mekhala chador is the glory and pride of Assam and needs world recognition. The celebration of National Handloom Day is a mission to preserve the weaving culture of India, which has a deep-rooted history with the fight for Independence and also a means for self-reliance. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Manokhi Dutta,Secretary, Tezpur District Mahila Samiti