Age cannot wither the groundswell of her love to her people nor can custom stale the infinite variety of her Sambalpuri lifestyle. She breaths, speaks, interacts in chaste Sambalpuri Odia with her people and disposes them to their satisfaction. However, her doors are open to one and all citizens of the State sans any discrimination. She has no air of arrogance and ostentation around her and welcomes people with a spirit of rare bonhomie without any condescending demeanour unlike many other persons of authority and power. Clad always in Sambalpuri sarees without any exception, Snehangini Chhuria with her winsome personality is endeared to the masses of western Odisha and has won their admiration by her infectious smile and warm entreaties.
A postgraduate in Political Science with a BEd degree to her credit, she was Headmistress of the Adgaon Girls High School from 1995 to 1997. She embraced a career in politics and public life and was a block chairperson from 1997 to 2002. She had a bitter taste by contesting on a BJD MlA tickets in 2009 when she was humbled by a defeat of 12,000 votes from her opponent. She had also her stint as an expert member of the Western Odisha Development Council in 2009 and was also a member of the State Planning Board. Success was showered upon her in 2014 when she opened her innings in the State Assembly winning by a margin of 25,575 votes from the Atabira constituency of Bargarh district. Her late grandfather-in-law Dalaganjan Chhuria had been elected as an MlA on an Utkal Congress ticket from 1961 to 1963 and was a close confidante of late legendary Biju Patnaik. A loyalist to the Biju dynasty, Snehangini Chhuria was inducted into the Navven Patnaik Ministry in 2014 as Minister of State for Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts (Ind. Charge) and Minister of State for ST & SC Development (SC Welfare) W&CD (Mission Shakti) Odisha. In an interview to The Pioneer, she spoke to Sugyan Choudhury from her chambers at the Odisha Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.
What are the plans on yours agenda for development of the handloom sector in OdishaIJ
The State Government is implementing several plans and programmes for upliftment of weavers and artisans. Chief Minister’s Special Package, Revival of Sick Cooperative Societies Cluster Development Programmes, Common Facility Centres, Designing Intervention and E-Marketing System are the major schemes implemented. Draft Textile Policy, Handlooms Policy and a Handicraft Policy are in the final stages, which will be implemented very soon. Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always given priority to this sector. Under his leadership and guidance, we are trying our best for an all-round development of this sector.
How do you contemplate to ameliorate the lots of weavers of the western regionIJ
We are really trying very hard to get back all the weavers who have left this profession. We are also reviving the liquidated societies of western Odisha. The weavers working in private fold are motivated to join the cooperative fold with all Government support and assistance. A proposal to open a Handloom Park in western Odisha has been submitted to the Government of India. Again, we are trying to produce low-cost handloom sarees for lower income groups and local buyers. We are planning to form a central society in western Odisha and link it with market facilities.
What are the steps on the anvil to arrest distress sale of sarees by the weaving communityIJ
No such case of distress sale has come to my notice. Sambalpuri sarees have high demand in domestic as well as global market. The Government is providing all kinds of support and assistance to weavers so that they can get maximum economic benefit.
What plans are there to internationalise the Sambalpuri sarees in the burgeoningworld marketIJ
The apex societies including the Boyanika, Samablpuri Bastralaya, SERIFED and the cooperative societies are linked for E-marketing system with go-coop, snap deal, e-bay and other online business houses. Again, international designers are tied up for design development and skill upgradation. We are also organising international exhibitions for international buyers.
What are the provisions to strengthen the deplorable economic plight of the weaving classIJ
The Government is providing yarn subsidy, loom subsidy, work shed, raw material support, accessories and utility kits and providing good market support through exhibition.
Would you please throw light on the cooperative activities under your department including Boyanika, Samablpuri Bastralaya, SERIFEDIJ
We have opened marketing outlets of Boyanika, Samablpuri Bastralaya, SERIFED and Utkalika in all districts of the State and also in major metropolitan cities.
What’s the progress of sericulture activities in the StateIJ
Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Koraput, Nabarangapur, Malkangiri are the major tassar producing districts. Earlier, the farmers were collecting the seeds from outside the State. Now, we have opened two seed production centres in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. The sericulture farmers are provided with all Government assistance. We look forward to see our State emerging as a tassar hub in coming years.
What steps are you taking for uplifting of Sambalpuri folk cultureIJ
You know Sambalpuri drama, dance, music have received world-wide acclaim. We are trying to set up a Sambalpuri Folk Academy in this part of the State for promoting the great cultural activities of our artists, singers, dancers. In my own constituency, I have been organising a cultural extravaganza entitled Papanga Pahad Mahotsav since 2010. Another festival called Girigobardhana Mahotsav is also being organised where local artists are accommodated and encouraged for scaling greater heights and bringing glory to the Sambalpuri dance, drama and music.
Behind every man, there is a woman and vice-versa. Who is then the source of inspiration behind youIJ
My husband Durga Prasad Chhuria, at present working as the Secretary, RMC, Padampur, is the real source of inspiration behind me. My two daughters, who are pursuing their medical studies, and my son, who is in his undergraduate course, also bear all their difficulties cheerfully and inspire me to go ahead with my career in politics and public life.
As a leader, I have been greatly influenced by the great leadership and pragmatic approach and planning of our popular Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.