IMPHAL, October 22: The First International Bamboo Conference cum Workshop was inaugurated today at the auditorium hall of the Oriental College (Autonomous), Takyel today.<\/p>\n
Delivering the speech at the inaugural function, Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam said 1\/3rd of Manipur is covered by bamboo plant.<\/p>\n
Japan, he said, has expressed interest in buying bamboo shoot from Manipur and the government will look forward to satisfying this interest.<\/p>\n
He said bamboo can also be used for handicrafts and the finished products can be exported outside.<\/p>\n
If the craftsmen are able to produce items in large numbers, they can supply even the international market, he observed.<\/p>\n
And as such, the State government has keen interest in the promotion of bamboo and bamboo products, he said.<\/p>\n
He continued the State has much potential in bamboo and its products.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the function, Social Welfare and Cooperation minister Ak Mirabai Devi said that bamboo is associated with the people of Manipur starting from birth till death.<\/p>\n
Urbanisation has forced us to depend on other material, but we have now come to know that bamboo has many roles, she said.<\/p>\n
She added that experts are of the opinion that the dangers posed by climate change can be control by a global propagation of bamboo.<\/p>\n
Manipur is globally known for its field of games and sports as well as handloom and handicraft which have their origin out of a skilful use of bamboo, she said.<\/p>\n
Some decades back most of the items of daily use on the State were made out of bamboo. Looking through this matter, a close revival of these items is needed and through mass production, these items made from bamboo can be made available cheaply, she added.<\/p>\n
The minister also said bamboo plays an important role in providing lots of food items mainly `Soibum or fermented bamboo shoot`\u009d which is a local delicacy and if efforts are channelled into it, it can be a base for industry in the State, she added.<\/p>\n
Unemployed youths of Manipur can employ themselves profitably if they are able to exploit the latent potentialities of bamboo, she said.<\/p>\n
The responsibility of turning Manipur into a bamboo manufacturing hub lies with the people of our state and the State Government has the potential of creating Bamboo tourism, she added.<\/p>\n
The function was attended many foreign delegate. Around 60 stalls of different varieties will be showcase; however, in today`\u2122s inaugural function around ten stalls opened.<\/p>\n
Chairmen governing body of Oriental College, Prof H Tombi Singh also attended the function as guest of honour.<\/p>\n
The conference cum workshop on bamboo is being organised by the Oriental College (Autonomous), Salai Holding Pvt. Ltd in association with Bamboo Forum of India Dev Bamboo Industry & CREDO.<\/p>\n
It will continue till October 26.<\/p>\n\n