Weaving gives employment to tribal women in Tripura

Ramarani Debbarma is among tribal women who have benefited from state-run weaving clusters producing clothing, towels and shawls which are very popular with tribals in Tripura.

"I had to discontinue school when I was in class nine because of poverty. Since we were a large family, food was a problem. We remained half fed," a woman beneficiary, Ramarani of Akhalaicherra village in West Tripura district says.

She says that she has been trained at the weaving cluster run by the state Industries Department at her village and is now earning Rs 6000 per month.

Ramarani and 57 tribal women work at the cluster producing towels, 'pachhra', a tribal attire, shawls, bags, shirting, bed covers and Naga shawls which are very popular among tribals.

"Our initiative is to provide a livelihood to tribal women in rural areas. We provide them three months training on specially designed weaving machines so that production is faster," Manager of the weavers' cluster, Paradita Debbarma says.

"As the garments are hand made, it is slightly costlier," he adds.