COMMEMORATIVE COVER TO MARK GI TAGGED CHAKHESANG SHAWL
As part of the initiative of department of posts to highlight the importance of geographical indication (GI), a special cover on Chakhesang shawl was released at postmaster general office, here, on Saturday.
The GI registry has been confirmed to three products of the state including “Naga mircha”, Chakhesang shawl and Naga tree tomato.
The special cover on the shawl was released by Chakhesang Women Welfare Society (CWWS) executive director Nezelu Nyekha.
Delivering her speech, Nyekha thanked the department for promoting Chakhesang shawls in their special cover.
She informed that CWWS was formed in 1976 with the objective to preserve, promote and protect cultural heritage.
Nyekha said that CWWS has been working extensively for the welfare of the community especially in the field of textile and weaving.
In order to revive and keep the traditional knowledge alive, they revived the traditional process of weaving, processing natural fibres and dying as her people have been engaged it these activities since time immemorial.
At present the society has a total strength of over 85% of women in the district, working with over 586 SHGs and JLGs.
Nyekha mentioned that CWWS received the GI tag on October 2017 in order to safeguard its traditional textile, and was the third product of Nagaland goods to be registered.
CWWS stresses on cultural appropriation, altering of original designs
Highlighting the patterns and importance of the shawl, Nyekha lamented that in the last 15 years, people experienced cultural appropriation, lack of accreditation and exploitation.
In this regard, she asserted that many have been diluting/altering the original designs in an attempt to infuse modern patterns.
While not discouraging creativity, she stated that it was only imperative that original designs be preserved and that it would be a shame if the stories attached to each pattern, hue and design got lost.
She was optimistic that the special cover would create awareness on the significance of the culture of Nagaland and that it would share the knowledge of the ancestors. Further, she requested that the shawls of any community be worn or used with respect and without appropriation.
North East-II region, postmaster general Som Kamei said that a special cover was usually done to signify an important event or milestone of important organisations or to bring focus on a particular event or product.
Kamei pointed out that GI tag was important as it provided legal protection to GI items which in turn would boost its sales, exports and would help the weaver economically while boosting economic growth.
Kamei also mentioned that a copy of the special cover would be put on display in the Philatelic Museum, New Delhi and copies would be sold all over India.
He thanked CWWS for agreeing to release the cover and held that it would add legitimacy to the traditional ownership of its shawl designs and highlight the importance of having a registered GI product.
A total of 2000 copy on special cover of “Chakhesang shawl” has been printed.
It may be mentioned that among the three GI products of Nagaland state, the “Naga Mirchi” special cover by India post office was released on August 15, by state chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the cover of “Naga tree tomato” would be released in the month of September by governor of Nagaland.
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