Port Blair, Jan 07: An Advance Training Programme (ATP) on Jute Shopping Bags of two weeks duration sponsored by National Jute Board (NJB), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Kolkata & organised by Jute Service Centre (JSC)-Port Blair in collaboration with A & N Consultancy Centre (ANCON), was inaugurated at Parish Hall of St. Thomas Marthoma Church, Goal Ghar, on Friday, Jan. 04, 2013 by Mr. R. K. Trivedi, Regional Manager, SBI, Port Blair. Total 26 candidates have been selected by ANCON for this training Programme.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest Mr. R. K. Trivedi, traced the history of jute in its glorious era to the advent of plastics when jute lost much of its importance and now jute was again on the upsurge due to the diversified use it was being put to in peoples lives like making of bags and handicrafts, as clothing, as upholstery and curtain material and many other uses.
He informed the gathering that due to the vacuum of supply created in the market by the mainland units due to lack of supply, it could be filled up by the local units and it was an assured market. He also said that as ANCON has assured for supply of raw material at Mill gate price at Port Blair, there was a level playing field with mainland manufacturers and creativity & innovativeness of our jute units will provide the upper hand in marketing.
He quoted few examples of creativity with respect to Kwality ice-cream, TKK zips etc. where creativity and innovativeness had played a major role in reviving a dying unit. He urged the trainees for a sincere approach, with positive attitude and a passion to be self employed and also be a job generator.
Er. Johnson Abraham, Sr. Manager & JSC in charge, informed the details of the programme and post-training escort services provided by Jute Service Centre, Port Blair. He said that the eco-friendly jute bags and other jute-based products have a ready market in these islands for its uniqueness of biodegradability. He opined that this type of programmes would create a new opportunity for self-employment. He further said that ANCON would be giving continuous support services to the trainees for grounding the units.
Rev. Anu Oommen, Vicar, St. Thomas Marthoma Church appreciated the efforts of Jute Service Centre, Port Blair in providing a full package including training, arrangement for machinery and raw materials, preparation of project report, guidance in obtaining loan and support for marketing the jute bag products. He urged the trainees to attend the programme with sincere dedication and make it a grand success.
Shri Azizoor Rahman, PBMC Councillor, Ward No. 6 urged to take advantages of this kind of training programme. He also assured all supports and assistance to the upcoming jute entrepreneurs.
Smt. Subba Laxmi, KVIB opined that Jute is an eco-friendly product and is very suitable for these islands. The women trainees undergoing this programme should be proactive and make full utilization of this programme. She also advised that by taking up the economic activity of jute bag manufacturing would also contribute to the family income. She told that there is a huge market to be captured by local jute entrepreneurs. KVIB and other Govt. departments will assist them in getting finance, market, etc. to operate the unit in a professional manner.
Smt. Sangita Tigga, Asst. Manager, Punjab National Bank, Goal Ghar explained about the hand in hand activities which will lead to mutual dependence and progress. She assured of full support in financing deserving units through schemes of Govt. of India or directly by the bank.
Earlier, Shri A. K. Bhattacharjee, Advisor, ANCON welcomed the gathering & anchored the programme.
Vote of Thanks was proposed by Shri Saikat Chakraborty, Associate Consultant, ANCON.
