At the 23rd Handicraft Export Awards held on 28th June at Delhi by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts( EPCH),  Jesmina Zeliang from Dimapur Nagaland who is the spearheading Heirloom Naga and Cane Concept for the last three decades was awarded ‘Best Performance for handicraft exports from NE India region under women entrepreneur category’. She received the award for two consecutive years 2017-18 and 2018-2019. She generated the highest export volume in handicrafts from NE India. Jesmina informs that in 2021-22 she wants to compete on all India basis.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is being headed by the Director General of  Dr. Rakesh Kumar who is instrumental for more than the past 20 years under his vision and dynamic leadership North Eastern region always found a spot in the B2B fairs echoes Jesmina. She is also the sole woman who is on the Committee of Administration (CoA) of EPCH and she also represents NE India on the board of EPCH. Jesmina is also the Executive Member of the All India Handicrafts and Carpet Skills sector Council and a member of the Handloom committee of the Ministry of Textiles. 

Because of the corona, the annual export award by EPCH could not be conducted and yesterday was the culmination of two years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 where Heirloom Naga which is primarily an export oriented company and it been on the ground for almost three decades now. 

Jesmina now exports to more than thirty countries across the world and her products are sold in high-end stores in these countries. She is responsible for mentoring many weavers and artisans across NE India and caters to more than 500 weavers directly and many others in the value chain. Heirloom Naga and Cane concept are able to provide a livelihood to these people across the state of Nagaland and aggregate and able to export products right from the state thereby facilitating continuity of work the last mile.

EPCH was responsible for unlocking the entire Northeast region to the International markets market stated Jesmina. She explained in the year 2003 EPCH launched a project called ‘Aggressive Marketing for NE products’ where as part of the project total number of 100 entrepreneurs was narrowed down and handholding exercises both backward and forward linkages by bringing in International designers from Philipines who went into nook and corner of NE India and stayed with entrepreneurs and developed and resonated with NE artisans.

In the process many of us became first time entrepreneurs to be present in the International market informs Jesmina even though she was already exporting to various countries.

EPCH continuously works toward accelerating the growth of handicraft export from the country. In order to encourage member exporters and recognise their achievements, EPCH organises annual Handicrafts Export Awards felicitating members in four broad categories, namely –  Top export award, Product group-wise awards, Regional Awards and Women Entrepreneur Awards. 

In the 23rd Export Awards ceremony 126 Trophies and certificates were awarded to the winners on the basis of their annual export performance for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19. The event was graced by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industries, Darshana  Vikram Jardosh, Union MoS for Textiles and Railways, Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary Minister of Textiles, Shantmanu, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Minister of Textiles, Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman EPCH and Rakesh Kumar, Director General EPCH.

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