Gangwar offers mega textile park for Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 22:

If Odisha government and entrepreneurs of the state so desire, a mega textile park can be established in the state, said Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister for Textiles here today.

nift design sutra

The Centre will also provide financial assistance to the state government for setting up of such parks under the changed policy norms of the Union government, Gangwar said while participating at “Design Sutra”, a mega event organized by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Bhubaneswar.

The Union Minister advised the state government to send a proposal in this regard latest by February 5, which is the last date for applying.

“Especially for textile parks, we have brought in necessary changes in the policy, so that state governments can apply. We will be giving priority to states where no such parks exist. Odisha doesn’t have any textile park. The last date for applying is 5th of next month. I would like to tell it through you that if Odisha government makes an application, we will definitely consider it on a priority basis,” Gangwar assured.

“I am delighted that the young designers of NIFT here in Bhubaneswar are producing excellent designs both for the local market and for abroad. This will not only help them but poor weavers and artisans,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his inaugural address at the event.

Expressing his happiness, the Chief Minister said that NIFT has initiated action on bringing handloom weavers and fashion designers together.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) over the years has emerged as the premier institute in the fashion industry imparting training on design, management and technology and developing professionals, he said.

“I am happy that NIFT has integrated the ‘Craft Cluster Initiative’ into its curricula that allows the students to work in collaboration with the artisans and weavers from different geographical areas of the country. I am sure that this will help in exposing the students to the challenges faced by the sector and in introducing new designs, techniques and materials for benefit of the weaver and artisan community,” the Chief Minister said.

The Centre will also provide financial assistance of Rs 10 crore for the development of weavers, textiles and Raghurajpur, the heritage village in Puri district. Efforts will be made to put Raghurajpur in the national and international tourism map. This was announced by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan who was also present on the occasion.

Besides, the Centre will also provide an assistance of Rs 12 crore for imparting training to artisans by the state government and Spinfed, informed Pradhan.

“Raghurajpur is identified as Odisha’s village of artisans. The Government of India will provide a grant of Rs 10 crore for the overall development of Raghurajpur on the occasion of Nabakalebar year. The grant will be utilized for their overall development, improvement in their livelihood, development of their business skills and improvement of tools etc. It will be developed as an ideal village (adarsh gram). It will get a place in the national and international tourism map,” said Pradhan.

The special event “Design Sutra” has been organized by NIFT to bring designers and the handloom weavers together for reinventing handloom with fashion, infusing new ideas for producing a wide range of products as per the changing tastes of the customers.

“Traditional handloom products by rural weavers and artisans from the across the country don’t get proper price of their labour because of lack of proper market and designs. Design Sutra will bring designers and handloom weavers together to help them come up with new ideas,” said director general of NIFT, Prem Kumar Gera.

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