2nd February 2018
TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Dear Sir,
Empowerment of Weavers & Artisans
Handlooms and Handicrafts play a significant role in the nation’s economy, besides being one of the major employment sectors. More than 43 lakh weavers and allied workers are engaged in the handloom sector and more than 68 lakh artisans are associated with the handicrafts sector. In this regard, third Handloom Census conducted in 2009-10 reveals that education level of 83% adult Handloom workers is below High/Secondary School.
In this connection, considering the above, to empower weavers and artisans, and to enable their children in Career Advancement, Development Commissioner for Handlooms and Development Commissioner for Handicrafts under Ministry of Textiles have entered in separate Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for providing education to handloom weavers, handicraft artisans and their children through open schooling and distant learning. In this context, the Ministry of Textile is providing reimbursement of 75% of the fees towards admission in courses offered by NIOS/IGNOU in case of SC, ST, BPL and women learners of these people.
In view of the above, all the concerned falling under the above mentioned categories may like to take advantage of the above stated opportunity for availing highly subsidized fees towards admission in various educational courses offered by NIOS/IGNOU to enhance skills and knowledge of weavers and artisans as well as their children.
For any assistance/additional information/clarification, one may directly contact Dr. Praveen Chauhan, Academic Officer (Home Science), Vocational Department, NIOS (Phone No: 0120-4089852, Email Id: aohomese@nios.ac.in) for NIOS Course: Dr. P. Tripathi, Deputy Director, Vice-Chancellor Office & Nodal Officer, IGNOU, New Delhi (Phone No: 011-29571804, Email Id: purnendu.tripathi@ignou.ac.in) for IGNOU Courses: and Shri. Rajesh Kumar Sahu, ADC (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles (Phone No: 011-23061865, Email Id: rajesh.sahu@nic.in).
S. BALARAJU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
