AGARTALA, April 8 (TIWN): Union Minister of state for Textiles (Independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Friday unveiled inaugural stone for hostel of trainees of Bamboo and Cane Development Institute at Lichubagan.

The foundation stone has been laid in the presence of Secretary of Textiles Rashmi Verma and Dr. K. Gopal, IAS Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

During the programme, Union Minister of state for Textiles (Independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar also panted a Bamboo tree at the premises of Bamboo and Cane Development.

It is to be mentioned here that Bamboo and Cane Development (BCDI) was set up in the year 1974 at Agartala by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

Main aim behind setting up the institute is to develop proper techniques for treatment and preservation of Cane & Bamboo Handicraft items by using suitable chemical and lacquer to protect them from insects, fungus.

Besides, the students are also taught to disseminate various techniques to the various pockets of these craft by giving practical demonstration.

With an aim to develop the initiatives and technique of the preservation of the Bamboo and Cane, Union Minister of state for Textiles (Independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar laid the foundation stone for the hostel of trainees.

It is to be mentioned here that Union Minister of state for Textiles (Independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar was born in the year 1948 in the month of November.

However, he is also the Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs, water resources, River Development and Ganga rejuvenation.

He has been Member of Parliament for the city of Bareilly since 1989 till date, except 2009-2014. He was also the chief whip of the party in 14th Lok Sabha. He faced defeat in the 15th Lok Sabha Elections, 2009 by a very narrow margin.

Later, he has been elected as Member of Parliament in 16th Lok Sabha.

It is to be mentioned here that the basic objective of Bamboo and Cane Development is to build and create technology driven and design oriented excellence in the cane and Bamboo sector of North East and provide sustainable forward and backward linkages by creating marketing opportunities.