post news network, Bhubaneswar, June 19: The directorate of textile, Orissa, is planning to organise two special handloom expos in the state to give a boost to the handloom industry in the state and give the weavers and people associated with the industry an opportunity to showcase their products before prospective customers.
The department has already sent a proposal, containing details about the sites, cost to be incurred, number of stalls to be put up and the required manpower etc. for successful hosting of the expos, to the development commissioner of handloom in New Delhi for consideration.
The department has proposed Rourkela and Bargarh as sites for the special expos. The department has recommended that the expos may be held, during this fiscal only – around October 11, 2015 in Rourkela and around January 11, 2016 in Bargarh. Handloom and other expos are generally held during the winter time.
The department has proposed an area of 5,000 sq ft in Rourkela and 10,000 sq ft in Bargarh for the expos, which are likely to see around 25 stalls each during the fest. The department has meanwhile proposed a cost of Rs 8 lakh for these expos.
Weavers are happy at the news of these two new expos. Sarat Sahu, a weaver from Nuapatna said, “We really like to participate in handloom expos as these give us opportunity to show our work to more and more people. … I always prefer to visit such expos to showcase some of my best creations.”