The Manipur Gamcha That Walked the Miss India Stage: Ayeakbam Bembem Devi's Weaving Centre

I am Ayeakbam Bembem Devi. I live in East district of Imphal. I learn weaving through a government institute of handloom and handicrafts and I've worked in this craft from the time I was 18 years. Our speciality is the Manipur gamcha. Our craft was even showcased in the Miss India Manipur 2022-2023.We get our materials from the market .The selling price of the items is usually Rs 350 though we invest Rs 320 in the investment. We make a small profit. I have under me 30 people who weaves the wooden handloom machine. Our Manipur gamcha is the most famous and we usually have many clients for it and since we always have stocks readily available we are well known. The biggest challenge is the profit and market. We make less profit and there are time when there is no market and we don't sell in months .The most unique is the kanglasha which are animals print which we print both by hand and machine . The hand made kanglasha is more expensive. Our weaving centre is trying to expand to reach other people to learn this craft. To the whole of India I want to convey one message that we should work hard and also we should make craft that can be showcased to make our state proud.