Kotpad , Jan, 05: Keeping in view the demand for Kotpad sarees, the foundation stone for a handloom building has been laid under the initiative of the Central and State governments. This brings special joy to the weavers, especially in the New Year. Today, Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra laid the foundation stone for the handloom building. Among the distinguished guests were Kotpad NAC Chairman M. Shankar Rao, MP representative Rameshwar Jena, MLA representative Binayak Acharya, Suren Mahanti, Tehsildar Tunkal Sethi, and Additional Tehsildar Parshuram Bhatra.
Padma Shri awardee Gavardhan Panika participated as the chief guest. It was informed that the Central and State governments have provided a grant of ₹7 crore for this project. The MLA mentioned that, under the guidance of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, steps are being taken to encourage weavers in the Kotpad region.
This initiative aims to help Kotpad’s Mirgan sarees gain recognition in the international market for their natural dyes, while also making the weavers self-reliant. In this independent building, all types of woven products will be provided to customers, and the focus will be on large-scale production and affordable pricing.
Other attendees included Nome, Das, Girish Padhi, Vishwatripathy, Surama Nayak, Bikash Pattnaik, eight BJP workers, weaver friends, Ajay Kumar Mishra (President of India Media Association), and editor Veer Kishore Sharma, along with many journalists.
Intellectuals and the general public appreciated MLA Rupu Bhatra for the government’s initiative, recognizing it as a significant step in promoting the welfare of local weavers.