A three-month training programme on ‘Integrated Design and Technical Development Project’ for poor artisans with a monthly stipend was inaugurated at the YMCA Rural Centre in Kanyakumari on Friday by J. Martin Pragasam, District Development Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and presided over by S. Viswanathan, Lead District Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Kanyakumari district.
L. Balu, Assistant Director (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India based at Nagercoil told The Hindu that the objective of the workshop for the artisans was to develop new prototypes using the locally available natural fibres such as banana, kattrazhai, etc.
Prototypes to be developed by 25 artisans should suit the tastes and preferences of contemporary market using traditional skills with the introduction of new techniques and technologies for enhanced production. Each artisan has to develop two prototypes.
Besides the three-month workshop on development of prototypes, the artisans have to go through an intensive one-month market survey prior to the workshop and one month test marketing after the training period.
The National Centre for Design and Product Development (NCDPD) of the Ministry of Textiles sponsored the training programme for the artisans with monthly stipend.
A sum of Rs. 8.45-lakh has been sanctioned for the training programme, Mr. Balu said.
