Guwahati: Every pair of dokhna, the Bodo traditional attire, or any item sold at the Swrkhi Crafts and Cafe in Kokrajhar town will offer something for the victims of violence in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District.
The outlet, which offers a chance to weave cloth and peace together, was opened in Kokrajhar by an NGO. Profits from the venture will be utilised to educate the displaced children and those who developed mental disorders due to violence and displacement.
The North East Research and Social Work Networking, the NGO, opened the outlet on Tuesday to sell handloom items produced at Swrkhi Weaving Centre.
The centre was started following the massacre of 84 Adivasis by National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit) militants in December 2014.
As the militant attack resulted in mistrust between Adivasis and Bodos, the NGO had engaged Bodo weavers to provide training to Adivasi women, to promote peace and harmony.
The weaving centre was named the Gwjwn Dera (peace camp) situated on the outskirts of Kokrajhar town.
"We carried out an extensive campaign to promote peace and reconciliation of the estranged communities. We decided to bring Bodo and Adivasi women together to weave cloth and peace together. Now their products need a market and so we have opened the outlet. Whatever little earnings it generates will be used for those suffering from mental illness and children displaced by ethnic conflict," NGO executive director Raju Kumar Narzary said.
Handloom fabrics, kurta, kurti, pyjama, gamosa, dokhna, aaronai, folders, bags, shawls and jackets produced by Swrkhi Weaving, Bodoland Silk Centre, Aagor Dagra Afaat, Weaving Destination and some other organisations are sold in the store.
The NGO has been providing free screening and treatment facilities to hundreds suffering from mental illness because of frequent conflicts and displacements. "The café will offer a space to budding writers, intellectuals, singers, dancers, artists and for small roundtable meets. It will also provide a reading and hangout space for all," he said.
The weaving initiative was started with the support of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, UK, in 2015.
