Union Minister of State for micro, small and medium enterprises Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in his official tour to Northeast region arrived in Tripura this morning.
The minister visited Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI) at Lichubagan and observed different bamboo-made samples. He also visited a training programme in the institute where female groups were taking training on making souvenir products such as carving Matabari temple.
The minister appreciated the work being done in bamboo sector. Director General of North East Centre for Technology Application & Research (NECTAR) Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, BCDI head Dr. Abhinav Kant, NECTAR Advisor M.P Bhardwaj, Director of MSME R.K Giri, Secretary of Industries & Commerce Dr. P.K Goyal, Director of Industries & Commerce Tarit Kanti Chakma, Director of Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Vikram Khandekar and Chairman of Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB) Rajib Bhattacharjee were present during his visit.
The minister then visited honey processing plant at Khadi & Village Industries Commission and Khadi & Village Industries Board in Dhaleswar. He visited a pottery cluster at Nandanagar and spoke with the traditional artisans. The artisans used to carve pottery with hands earlier but after undergoing a 10-day training under KVIC, they now carve pottery with the help of electrical machine which is helping them earn more than before.
Verma in his official tweet expressed his appreciation on various kinds of products being made of bamboo. He also urged to use more and more bamboo materials instead of plastics and add to building a self-reliant India.
