Tales from the North Lakhimpur and Dhemaji handloom textile clusters of Assam

In Machkhowa village of Assam, Sangeeta Gogoi established a handloom textiles production unit equipped with two looms, aiming to contribute to local economic development. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations, exacerbated by the absence of online marketing channels.

Participation in the FMC-CISCO initiative proved instrumental in Sangeeta’s resurgence. Through comprehensive training encompassing modern designs, new handloom products, e-commerce, digital marketing, and cyber security, she revitalized her business. Leveraging an active Facebook presence, she cultivated a broad customer base, particularly drawn to her Tussar dupattas, stoles, and sarees adorned with colorful motifs.

With escalating demand, Sangeeta progressively expanded her infrastructure, incorporating four additional looms. Today, her annual income stands at a commendable Rs 6 lakhs, a testament to her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, the horizon beckons, and Sangeeta’s eyes are set on scaling her business to greater heights, a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

In the secluded confines of Gulungsukh village, Manjuri Taid, a weaver belonging to the Mising Tribe, once toiled in obscurity, her intricate motifs adorning mekhala chadors, stoles, and dupattas crafted from eri silk, nooni silk, and cotton. Yet, her earnings remained tethered to the confines of a local trader’s patronage.

Enter the FMC-CISCO initiative—a required push that ignited a spark within Manjuri’s soul. Inspired by fellow women entrepreneurs, she embarked on a journey of transformation, fueled by the prospect of direct sales and larger market outreach. With her husband by her side and the project’s market linkage initiative as her guiding light, she stepped onto the grand stage of exhibitions.

The inaugural exhibition proved to be a revelation, as Manjuri reaped the fruits of her labor, garnering a substantial earning of Rs 16000. This newfound exposure kindled a fervour within her, compelling her to expand her horizons and embrace the prospect of scaling her enterprise.

Bolstered by newfound contacts from the exhibition and incoming orders, Manjuri stands poised at the precipice of opportunity, her journey a testament to the transformative power of initiative and perseverance.

Yet, Rimjhim’s contributions extend far beyond the realm of product design. Recognizing the transformative potential of education and empowerment, she opens the doors of opportunity for the women in her village. Through her weaving-tailoring training cum retail outlet, she imparts knowledge spanning sericulture, weaving techniques, and the art of embroidery and tailoring, handholding more than twelve women till date. Taking a leaf from FMC-CISCO’s initiative, and using the A/V manuals, Rimjhim’s teachings include design thinking, motif creation, graph making– providing a solid foundation to the trainees.

Rimjhim’s initiative becomes a feature of sustainability of the FMC-CISCO initiative, taking the objective of capability enhancement farther to Jorkata’s marginalised women artisans.

With escalating demand, Sangeeta progressively expanded her infrastructure, incorporating four additional looms. Today, her annual income stands at a commendable Rs 6 lakhs, a testament to her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, the horizon beckons, and Sangeeta’s eyes are set on scaling her business to greater heights, a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

Within the confines of her marginalized existence, Jonmani Nath navigates the intricate threads of poverty alongside her daughterin-law. Their sole loom serves as both instrument and lifeline, a testament to resilience in the face of economic hardship exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Basic, and repetitive motifs, fetched them a lower earning from the market.

Amidst this tumult, the FMC-CISCO initiative emerges as a glimmer of hope. Jonmani, now skilled in the language of design, finds herself entwined in a production group.Through the project’s market linkage, their crafted fabrics, now in a contemporary design, find their way to sale, earning a modest income of Rs 4800 per month.They are now saving for a jacquard loom, that will increase on their productivity and earning by 2 folds.

In the tapestry of adversity, Jonmani’ s journey stands as a testament to human perseverance, weaving threads of resilience amidst the chaos of uncertain times.