A five-day District Handloom Expo (DHE) – Tana-Bana 2026 commenced today at the Urban Haat, Nilakuthi, in Imphal East district with the objective of promoting handloom products and providing weavers with improved market access.
The expo has been organised by The Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans Cooperative Society Limited (AWAS) to address the marketing challenges faced by handloom weavers across the state.
The inaugural function was attended by AWAS Chairman Y. Premchandra Meitei, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand’s spouse Yumnam Joybala, National Awardee Konjengbam Medha Devi, Assistant Director (Design), Weavers’ Service Centre, Beauty Milli, and Project Manager, District Handlooms and Textiles, Imphal East, Thokchom Sundari Devi.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, AWAS Board of Directors member Ph. Indira said the expo has been organised primarily to provide handloom weavers with a dedicated platform to market their products. She expressed confidence that the event would not only help overcome the marketing constraints faced by weavers but also improve their livelihood by enhancing sales opportunities.
She further said AWAS plans to organise similar expos in the future to continue supporting the handloom sector and strengthen market linkages for local weavers.