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REZA PRADHAN

Kalimpong, Nov. 24: The age-old art of cross-stitches is all set to get a new lease of life here in the Hills.
Today was the second day of a three-day training programme being conducted at the Disha hall here by the Diocese of Eastern Himalayas (Church of North India).
In the course of the training programme, 30 women, some of whom came all the way from Darjeeling, will be groomed to become resource persons.

The programme is being conducted by Eileen Milne, a Scottish national and an expert on cross-stitches.

A member of the Church of Scotland, Milne recounted her Indian connection: “My husband had come to this place a number of times and on his return from one such trip he told me about the lack of employment opportunities for women here. This art was introduced here by Scottish and Irish missionaries and I came to keep the legacy alive.”

Diocese secretary Rosabel Namchyo said revival of the art form would provide women with employment. She added that Milne and her husband had promised to help in the marketing of the goods once the women started stitching on a commercial basis.