MANIPUR:
Manipur, the Jewel of India, is a tiny State located at the North-Eastern part of India, bordering Myanmar having a population of 2.84 million as per Census 2011 in an area of 22,327 sq.km. It is a multi-community State with the Hills populated by the tribal communities who are Christians and the Valley predominantly by the Meiteis who are mostly Hindus with pockets of Meitei Pangals who are Muslims.
Geographically, the Valley lies in the centre of the State which constitutes about 10% of the area, while the outlying Hills constitute about 90% of the area. The capital city of Imphal has good air connectivity to the rest of the country having direct flight from Delhi.
HANDLOOMS & HANDICRAFTS IN MANIPUR
Manipur is a unique State having highest concentration of handloom weavers in the country as per National Handloom Census Report published in 2019. It has 2.12 lakh handloom weavers and 2.11 lakh looms. In similar manner, there are 2 lakh handicrafts artisans in Manipur. Thus, Manipur has both traditional and natural potential for handloom, handicrafts and textile skilled workers.
TEXTILES & LIFE:
On other hand, Textiles is indispensable part of human life and the people of Manipur are aesthetically oriented peoples. The tradition of non-performing arts such as drawing, painting, wood carving, etc. has been existence in Manipur from time immemorial. The handloom & handicrafts is cottage industry in general and labour based employment generating industry and preserving cultural heritage.
EXHIBITION:
Merchandising and Marketing have been recognized as being central to the growth and development of the textile sector. Domestic marketing is important for providing linkage between the producer and the consumer. It is also a publicity and awareness and Brand Development to promote the marketing of textile products in the country and to improve the levels of awareness amongst handloom weavers and the general public in the interest of overall development of the handloom sector.
The exhibition is exclusively for textile material for achieving the following objective:
- To assist in the sale of textile products;
- To make available the local genuine textile products to consumers under one umbrella;
- To serve as Single Window System for promoting awareness to consumers &producers;
- To provide group merchandising in one roof by making available different varieties at one place with a view to enhancing marketing of textile products;
- To encourage brand development and innovation of new designs and techniques; and
- To promote high end products for fashion world
PLANNING;
Now, it is high time to show the world how rich the handlooms, handicrafts, its culture, tradition and showcase achievements of Manipur is. The State of Manipur has been organizing many State and Regional Level Exhibitions on handloom, handicrafts and dyeing & printing. However, an inclusive Internal Level Exhibition of handloom, handicrafts, dyeing & printing, powerloom, garment, embroidery and costume has not yet been organized till 2018.
MANITEX
MANITEX, the Manipur International Textile Expo has thus been decided on 22-5-2018 to start the organization of MANITEX to show case all the products of handlooms, handicrafts, dyeing & printing, powerloom, garment, embroidery and costume in larger scale with participation of different States and countries as an annual feature since 2018. As a part of brand promotion, fashion show also staged during the expo. This expo helped the State both Govt. and entrepreneurs for developing a road map for inclusive development of textile industry in Manipur.
OBJECTIVE:
MANITEX play important roles in marketing as well as business networking in market sectors that use them. People will seek to meet people and companies at their own level in the supply chain, as well as potential suppliers and potential buyers. An inclusive objective of MANITEX are:
** It is a platform of exhibition so that textile companies can showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services,
** A platform to meet with industry partners and customers, study activities of rivals, and examine recent market trends and opportunities.
** To assist in the sale of textile products including machinery;
** To make available the local genuine textile products to consumers;
** To serve as Single Window System for promoting awareness to consumers & producers;
** To provide group merchandising in one roof by making available different varieties at one place with a view to enhancing marketing of textile products;
** To encourage brand development and innovation of new designs and techniques; and
** To promote high end products for fashion world
TEXTILE INDUSTRIALIZATION
The first era, the era of “industrialisation”, roughly covered the years from 1800 to 1938. In these days, world expositions were largely focused on trade and displayed technological advances and inventions. However, Manipur started the modern textile industry in the late 20th Century. First spinning established in 1973 and closed in 2003. The only and everlasting industries are Handloom and Handicrafts. MANITEX is, thus, platform to show case this activity.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Manipur is vibrant with colours and boasts of a rich culture. Inhabited by about 34 different communities with diverse history and customs attracted many people from around the globe. Each community have their own and distinct culture, dances, music (folk and modern), costumes, festivals. Some of the major ones are Yaoshang, Rath Jatra, Lai-Haraoba, Ramjan ID, KUT, Gang-Ngai, Chumpha, Cheiraoba, Heikru Hidongba, Lui-Ngai-Ni and Kwak Jatra
MANITEX 2018:
MANITEX organized from 5th to 15th November, 2018 at Manipur Trade & Expo Centre, Lamboi Khongnangkhong in Imphal West District with a distance of only 3 kilometers from Imphal City, Manipur Zoological Garden, Central Agricultural University, Powerloom Estate and Apparel & Garment Making Centre are the landmarks to the Trade Centre.
A central trade show floor with booths where people exhibit their goods or services, and throughout the day. Seminars, workshops and cultural events were organized.
MANITEX 2018 started with SOCIAL SERVICE in different location which was flagged off by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Manipur on 24-10-2018 to seek the cooperation and support of public in general and weavers/artisans in particular.
MANITEX Cycle Rally was organized on 1st November, 2018 which was flagged off from two points at Moirang and Kaching by respective local Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assemblies. After subsequently reception and flagged-off by other Hon’ble MLAs along the way to final destination. Finally, Shri Th. Biswajit Singh, Hon’ble Minister (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Manipur received the cyclists at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi. It was participated by 260 riders from ICS Pro.
INAUGURATION IN 2018
Shri N. Biren Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Manipur inaugurated the MANITEX 2018 on 5th November, 2018 in the presence of Hon’ble Minister (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Manipur, many other Ministers, Chairman, Vice- Chairman, MLAs and Government officers of State and Central Government. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Manipur distributed 1980 Nos. of Frame/Fly Shuttle Looms to weavers.