The Special Handloom Expo, being organised by the Department of Handlooms and Textiles, at Vemana Mandiram, Asilametta, is drawing a good number of visitors
Women are seen selecting the world famous handloom saris like Pochampalli, Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram, Gadwal, Polavaram and Jamdani (East Godavari) on display at the expo. The saris in beautiful designs and patterns and a wide range of colours attracted discerning buyers. Pondur Khadi shirts are an excellent way to beat the heat this summer.
Phanidam and Yemmiganur bed sheets and towels, Mangalagiri dress material and Puttur towels, Warangal durries, cotton carpets, lungis, cushion covers are some of the other things on display.
Deputy Director (Handlooms and Textiles) A. Murali Krishna said that 40 handloom societies from all over the State had put up stalls at the expo. He said that this year (2009-10) a total of 12 handloom expos were sanctioned by the Government of India to Andhra Pradesh. Of them, four had been allotted to Visakhapatnam Region. This was the second expo in the city. The other two were conducted in Rajahmundry in October 2009 and in Vijayawada in November 2009.
Objective
Mr. Muralikrishna said that the prime objective of conducting handloom expos was to liquidate the stocks of the Handloom Weavers' Cooperative Societies at production price, preventing middlemen from exploiting the weavers.
The Government of India sanctioned Rs.8 lakhs for the conduct of each expo in Visakhapatnam Region. The sales through the four exhibitions conducted in the region last year was Rs.353 lakhs.
The expo was inaugurated by Joint Collector P. Satyanarayana Reddy on Wednesday. Assistant Development Officer (Handlooms and Textiles) V. Padma was also present.
The exhibition will be on till March 31.
