Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is mulling how to make handloom products viable in the international fashion market.
Addressing an event held on the occasion of the 5th National Handloom Day here Wednesday, Ravi Capoor, Secretary, Union Ministry of Textiles, stated that the ministry is mulling how to help handloom products get international acclaim. “We are trying to reduce the role of middlemen in the trade of handloom products so that the weavers get a handsome price for their products,” he added.
Odisha weavers have preserved the great and beautiful art of handloom and carved a niche for themselves in the national market. Textile Department, Government of India, will not only preserve this great heritage but also further try to make it a fashion statement in the international market. As a result, the weavers will be able to get much more money for their hard labour.
“Only eight to ten countries of the world are enriched in the handloom sector. India certainly has the potential to create a special identity for the handloom sector in the world. For that, a lot of work is to be done in the handloom sector. Odisha weavers are doing a great job in this respect. The government is implementing a number of schemes for the weavers and they should grab these with both hands. The young generation should be encouraged to stick to this field with a proper marketing strategy in place,” he said.
Two Padma Shri award winners for handloom— Gobardhan Panik and Chaturbhuja Meher — and 12 Sant Kabir award winners (Kalabati Meher, Swarnalata Meher, Sarat Kumar Patra, Bhaktaraj Meher, Bhagaban Meher, Dayalu Meher, Surendra Meher, Shyamasundar Karan, Bhikari Meher, Murali Meher, Khetramohan Meher and Sashidhar Meher) were felicitated on this occasion. The fourth All India Handloom Census Report was released as well.
Identity cards were presented to weavers Jayanti Sahoo, Rajani Patra, T Bharati, Bidyadhar Mahanta and Bhagaban Tanti to mark the launch of distribution of Pehchan Card on pan India basis.
A documentary on weaving tradition was screened. ‘Mudra’ loan was distributed to Pitambara Meher, Narottam Meher, Prahallad Meher, Bhagabat Meher and Dharani Dhara Meher.
Laxmipriya Behera, Saraswati Das, Radhakanta Haripal, Bijay Meher and Karunakar Mahananda were presented with solar lighting units.
Handloom enrichment assistance was presented to Sridhar Nath, Laxman Pagal, Giridhar Pagal, Lakshyapati Meher and Bhikari Meher.
Certification for construction of work-shed was presented to Digambara Meher, Bhubaneswar Meher, Kishor Meher, Judhistira Ketki and Dutiya Meher.
