Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday appealed to the people of the state to buy at least one hand-woven gamosa during Bohag.
Bohag or Rongali Bihu is celebrated across the state from April 14 to April 16, heralding the Assamese New Year.
While inaugurating the Golden Silk Park and Trade Centre in Guwahati, the chief minister said: “We should take a pledge to buy at least one gamosa each during Bohag. This is my special request to every Assamese. This will greatly encourage our weavers. There are over three crore people and 60 lakh families in the state. If we buy at least one gamosa, 60 lakhs gamosa will be sold. This will boost the state’s economy.”
The gamosa, a handwoven rectangular cotton piece of cloth with red borders and different designs and motifs, is traditionally offered to elders and guests as a mark of respect and honour by Assamese people. It received the GI tag in December.
Sarma further said: “Will be great if you buy more than one (gamosa) but don’t buy a gamosa made on powerloom. If you see gamosas made on powerloom, immediately inform the DC or us. Buy gamosas made on handloom. A change in mindset will take our state forward.
Sarma later tweeted: “An Appeal & Request To support Assamese artisans, I appeal to each one of you to purchase handloom made Gamosas for the upcoming Bihu celebrations. If you see anyone selling powerloom Gamosas, I advise you to immediately alert local authorities.”
Gamosas made on powerloom are banned in the state.
A handloom department official said that there are over 12 lakh weavers in the state according to a national census. However, around 4.80 lakh have registered themselves under the government flagship programme — Swanirbhar Naari — to empower the indigenous weavers of the state and to provide financial support to their families.
Under the scheme, traditional hand-woven items are to be procured directly from the indigenous weavers without involving any middlemen.
The government has procured nearly two lakh gamosas since January 13 from weavers to be sold through the Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Ltd (ARTFED), a counter of which was set up in the golden silk farm inaugurated on Saturday.
