Sonamura, March 17, 2025: Aiming to boost the state’s handloom and handicraft industries, the five-day Sepahijala District Handloom and Textile Fair was inaugurated yesterday at Nalchar Dashamighat Ground. Organized by the Tripura Handloom, Handicrafts & Sericulture Development Corporation with financial support from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the fair will continue until March 20.
Inaugurating the fair, Minister for Handloom, Handicrafts & Sericulture Bikas Debbarma said that the initiative aims to promote and market the textiles and handicrafts of rural artisans. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, efforts are being made to uplift the handloom and handicraft industries of Tripura. The minister further added that the department has undertaken various projects to revive these traditional industries and help women artisans achieve financial independence.
Speaking as the chief guest, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Supriya Das Dutta highlighted that handloom and handicrafts are the pride and heritage of Tripura. She stated that the government is working to ensure financial stability for rural women through these industries.
Other dignitaries who addressed the gathering included:
• Swapan Kumar Das, Chairman of Nalchar Panchayat Samiti
• Pampa Sarkar, Assistant Director of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India
The welcome address was delivered by Ratanmani Sarkar, District Officer of the Handloom, Handicrafts & Sericulture Department.
The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including:
• Social worker Uttam Das
• Lokujit Debnath
• Arnab Chowdhury, Deputy Director, Weavers’ Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles, Agartala
• Suranjit Sarkar, BDO of Nalchar Block
The inaugural session was chaired by MLA Kishore Barman.
The district-level Handloom & Textile Fair features 27 stalls showcasing a variety of handloom, handicraft, and sericulture products.
