The NHPC Ltd, engaged in the construction of Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project (LSHEP) at Gerukamukh in Assam’s Dhemaji district, launched a website for women weavers.
The website was launched by NHPC for its brand SAAR Subansiri Handloom, an e-commerce initiative on the occasion of its 46th raising day.
The website was launched by Arvind Bhat, executive director of LSHEP at Gerukamukh.
The inaugural function was attended by Vipin Gupta, general manager (in-charge) LSHEP and the women weavers, who are also the Board of Directors of SAAR Handloom Producers Company Limited.
The website has been developed to promote, brand and market the traditional weaving styles of Assamese women.
NHPC has been implementing Livelihood Intervention Projects (LIP) in handloom, sericulture and piggery in the districts of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji under its Downstream Developmental Works (DDW) in consultation with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Gujarat.
As recommended by the Core Group of Assam, a high-level committee has been constituted by th Assam government.
NHPC, in consultation with IRMA and through the network partner, namely Foundation for MSME Cluster (FMC), has registered a farmer producers company, called SAAR Handloom Producers Company Limited with women weavers from Lakhimpur and Dhemaji as owners of the company.
Technical Up-gradation, construction of Common Facility Centres, enterprise motivation training, capacity building, exposure visits and creation of unique designs inspired from traditional designs of various communities of Assam and Northeast, sustainable market linkage, etc. are some of the key features of the scheme.
With the support of the state government, NHPC has been endeavouring to establish a robust and sustainable women weaver oriented collective enterprise having an established brand of their own and with a mission to create Atmanirvar Bharat with the tagline Saksham Naari, Sasakt Asom.