Union Minister of Textiles,Giriraj Singh, emphasized that the handloom sector should aim for the premium niche market by blending tradition with modernity, offering innovative designs, and adopting targeted marketing strategies.
Union Minister for Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, stressed the importance of raising widespread awareness about the sustainability and eco-friendliness of handloom products, the advantages of natural dyeing, organic fibers, and the distinctiveness of handloom designs. He highlighted the need to target the growing e-commerce market, which is projected to reach a value of 325 billion dollars by 2030.
The Union Minister of Textiles also encouraged the organized and corporate sectors within the textile industry to create a model that guarantees sustainable livelihoods, social security, and fair compensation for handloom weavers. The Ministry of Textiles will introduce an award for corporates, producer companies, and start-ups that develop such models, ensuring sustainable employment for handloom weavers for at least 300 days per year.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that handloom products are a living representation of the country’s cultural heritage. He highlighted the importance of revitalizing the handloom industry as a dynamic sector that offers fair earnings and attracts younger generations.
The Secretary of Textiles, in her address, explained that the “Conclave-Manthan” is a “Chintan Shivir,” a thoughtful initiative by the Ministry to engage in dialogue with stakeholders. It aims to address concerns about marketing opportunities and the declining interest of youth in handloom weaving. She also emphasized the need to create synergy between modern education and traditional knowledge.
Key highlights of the Event:
- In the Conclave 03 technical sessions were organized:
- Support for start-up eco system in Handloom Sector.
- Handloom Marketing Avenues and strategies.
- Modelling Handloom Sector for Young Weavers: Approach and Strategy.
The key deliverables of the technical sessions are:
- Focussing on Niche products.
- Attractive packaging as an important value proposition.
- Promote viable employment opportunities in handloom sector to attract youth.
- Curriculum for training courses to be designed in such a manner that it incorporates soft skills, IT knowledge and presentation skills.
- Customers buy story behind the product, story behind making of product may be highlighted to attract customers.
- To incorporate handloom weaving as a part of formal education.