She learnt the craft of traditional handloom weaving from her mother as a child and it was because for their livelihood. And now that art has brought Bina Kalita a National award for weaving from Union Ministry of Textile.
Bina Kalita who was born in a sleepy hamlet called Jiyakur near Bijoynagar some 30 kilometres from here, was awarded for a traditional shawl with a Miri design for the year 2008. Union Textile minister Dayanidhi Maran handed over the award to the lady at a glittering function in New Delhi recently.
All Assam Handloom Co-operative Association (AAHCA) felicitated the weaver for her award and making the state proud in the national scenario.
“I learnt the craft from my mother during my childhood and gradually my interest grew on the traditional handloom weaving. Today I’m feeling great that weaving has helped me in getting a national award,” said an elated Bina Kalita.
The award wining weaver also hoped that her award will motivate others to work harder.
“Winning the award will not just good for me but all the other weavers in my locality and others will be motivated to work much harder. I have already asked them to work harder and I will provide any necessary help,” she added.
Fourteen years ago, observing her skill in weaving and her spirit in her work, Kasturba Gramin Bayan Samabai Samity Ltd, one of the leading co-operative societies on handloom sector of Kamrup district, in Bijoynagar, came forward to support her. The society provided her looms and engaged her as regular member in production of their goods.
Bina Kalita, whose source of income is the weaving, has a dream of having her own production house in future.
“Definitely it’s a dream to have my own production house. If I get any sort of help from government, I’m hopeful that it could be done. Lets see what can be done,” she said.
Ramendra Narayan Kalita, president of AAHCA said her award will motivate others in the state to take up weaving professionally and hoped Bina Kalita would bring more laurels to the state.
“I hope Bina Kalita’s achievement will encourage other weavers in the state to take up the weaving professionally and it will them to be independent economically,” said Kalita.
He further said, “I would like to make an appeal to Bina Kalita so that she continue her hard work and keep on bringing more laurels for her state. After winning the award she should be motivated to work harder for coming days and be an example for others.”
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