A three-day Craft Fair and Exhibition began at the Integrated Business Hub and Innovation Centre, Forest Colony, Dimapur. The event has been organised by the Mind Blowers Club (MBC). It is sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and co-sponsored by the Cooperative Bank of India. The exhibition will continue till February 28. Chairman of CNCCI, Dr. Khekugha Muru, attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Muru said that even though modern markets are filled with machine-made and mass-produced goods, there is a rising demand across the world for genuine handmade products. He said handcrafted items carry identity and culture, which cannot be replaced by machines.Dr. Muru praised the skill and creativity of Naga artisans. He said the talent of the Naga people is unique and deserves proper recognition. He stressed that grassroots talent must be identified and supported through well-planned programmes. According to him, platforms like this exhibition are not only meant for selling products but also for sharing ideas, building contacts, and learning from each other. He added that such interactions help artisans grow in the long run.
He also appealed to the Government of Nagaland to continue supporting skill development and grassroots initiatives. He encouraged young people to take interest in traditional crafts and entrepreneurship. He urged visitors to interact with artisans and understand the effort behind handmade products.Delivering the welcome address, MBC president Yangerla Jamir said the main aim of organising the fair was to bring artisans and craftsmen together under one roof. She said the exhibition provides them a chance to display their work, explore market opportunities, and work towards sustainable livelihoods. She added that it also helps build a community that values traditional skills and knowledge.Speaking to Nagaland Post, MBC publicity and information secretary Yanger said this is the first time the club has organised such an event. He said the response from participants has been encouraging. He informed that there are 25 stalls from Nagaland and one stall from Assam. He added that they plan to continue organising similar events in the future. He also mentioned that the central government is planning larger events to promote crafts and small entrepreneurs.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Gugu Haralu of Peren town. The invocation was delivered by Imesenla.The exhibition features live craft demonstrations, seminars on business-to-business (B2B) opportunities, and workshops on traditional handmade jewellery and crochet crafts. Organisers said the sessions are meant to help artisans understand markets, improve product presentation, and explore business connections. Entry to the exhibition and seminars is free. The fair is open to the public daily from 10 am to 7 pm.
