Ever heard of shoes made of silk? Yes its true. An entrepreneur from Guwahati has presented an idea to redesign and market the traditional product of the Assam
By Peter Alex Todd
Guwahati, Aug 21 : Ever heard of shoes made of silk? Yes it's true. An entrepreneur from Guwahati has presented an idea to redesign and market the traditional product of the Assam
Hemanta Adhikari, a contractor by profession, has a passion for traditional silk clothes, and this drove him to set up a silk weaving centre - - Adhikari Pat-Muga Udyog.
Today, Adhikari's outfit caters to popular demand.
"The industry will not progress if we continue to make traditional items like chador and nekhla sari. I have gone ahead and started making items like shoes, caps, ties, coats and bags. Besides this, I have added a new touch in saris, so that we can tap the market outside the state. I am making products that cater to the needs of today's fashion," said Hemanta.
These silk shoes and slippers are popular in Assam and cost anywhere from 400 to 800 rupees.
Though still at a nascent stage, the outfit has generated employment for the weaving community in the region.
At present, there are twelve weavers, who have been provided with hostel facilities.
Employees have called for more small scale industries to be set up.Suravi Narzari a worker said that this industry has helped me. "I was unemployed, but my weaving skills have helped me to earn a living," he added.
"Opening up of such industries will help us more. A number of unemployed youths would get jobs and work with us," said Purnima Swargwyari, another worker.
Not content with his achievements, Hemanta runs a showroom in Guwahati where various products like silk ties, coats, jackets and bags in contemporary style are sold at very reasonable prices.
ANI