leading manufacturer and former potential supplier of Boyonika Gopal Chandra Sahu has sought help of NRIs/NROs for the handloom and textile sector in the State.
Sahu said that due to lack of support and patronage, famous Khanduapatta, a favourite of lord Jagannath, manufactured from Maniabandha-Nuapatna area was fast losing its past glory. He cautioned that if proper attention was not paid to it by the Government as well as the civil society, it would be forgotten by the people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is personally interested in promotion of Banarasi sari should also show same interest in the Odisha based textile and handloom materials, Sahu said.
Sahu highlighted that most demanded ‘single cotton sari’ of Badabag in Jagatsinghpur district was totally dead due to lack of support and help. The Government and other organisations are holding exhibitions and fairs only on manufactured products, but they are not paying attention on materials like variety yarns, dyestuffs and handloom based machinery, he lamented.
Famous saris like Sambalpuri, Maniabandhi, Sonepuri and Berhampuri need special attention and NRIs and NROs should extend their support for the development of textile and handloom sectors, Sahu maintained.
“Odisha has 15 handloom zones and most of the zones are running from pillar to post for funds for survival. Tie and dye makers living in areas like Maniabandha, Nuapatana, Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, Brahmapur, Sonepur and Boudh are living in very poor condition,” said Sahu, adding that the Boyonika under State Textile and Handloom department was doing little for the weavers economy.