Tea company’s bid to promote Bodo weavers

Tea company’s bid to promote Bodo weavers

: From our CorrespondentJORHAT, Jan 15: McLeod Russel India Limited, which owns and operates 47 tea estates in different parts of the State, has been executing an ambitious scheme to promote Bodo weaving skills since 1995. Billed as the Bodo Handloom Scheme, the project was initiated at Borengajuli Tea Estate, located 10 km from the Bhutan foothills in Udalguri district, for the economic uplift of Bodo women in the nearby villages through the handloom enterprise. An exclusive Bodo handloom showroom was opened at Behora Tea Estate of McLeod Russel India Limited recently as part of the Bodo Handloom Scheme. The range of products for display and sale include garment fabrics, table mats, table cloths, bed sheets, bed covers, cotton rugs, aprons, bathroom sets, shirts, kurtas and others. These handloom items are also sold at trade fairs, clubs, hospitals, schools and households both in Asom and outside. The products are also lapped up by the tea fraternity. The tea company has been funding a total 140 weavers under the scheme. They are provided the cotton yarn which is dyed locally, mainly in ethnic colours showcasing their culture and heritage. The weavers are guided in the colour combinations, patterns and designs. The subsequent processes of stitching, knotting and correct-sizing are supervised by the Bodo Handloom Scheme centre and its tailors. A release from the company said that the weavers earn 40 per cent of the total cost of the finished product. The biggest advantage under the scheme is that the weavers can work at their own pace at home and on their own handlooms, the release added. This is a self-sustaining venture which has been functioning on a no-profit, no-loss basis in order to promote a good cause, the release maintained. McLeod Russel India Limited, which claims to be the largest bulk tea producer of the country with its annual production standing at 70 million kg, has guaranteed the quality and resilience of the fabrics produced by the weavers under the Bodo Handloom Scheme. source: sentinel assam