Arunachal weavers to benefit from CADC

The launch of the state’s first Computer Aided Design Centre (CADC), aimed at enhancing the skills of rural artisans and weavers is being looked upon as a major boost to the textiles and handicraft industries of Arunachal Pradesh, a state in north-eastern India. Inaugurating the centre set up at Industrial Estate, Naharlagun, state Handicrafts and Industries Minister Tapang Taloh said it would allow local artisans to upgrade their skills and showcase innovative ideas through use of high-tech IT-based tools and techniques. The Union Ministry of Communication & Information Technology’s Kolkata-based Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC) and the state’s Textile and Handicraft Department extended technical assistance for setting up the design centre. Describing the...

Read more »

Textile Overstocks - Global Marketplace for Excess Stocks

Fibre2fashion, which recently launched “Textile Overstocks”, an exclusive marketplace dedicated for liquidation of textile surplus stock and apparel overstocks, has received an overwhelming response from the global textile manufacturers, garment producers and textile trading community. Fibre2fashion is a global B2B platform, which has been serving the worldwide textile, apparel & fashion industry since more than a decade through its various trade and knowledge services; has launched ‘Textile Overstocks’ in its continuing endeavour to provide niche and value-added services. Textile Overstocks is a specialized global trading platform to clear...

Read more »

Karnataka opens doors to Himachal handlooms

Falu AG of Switzerland and Bellini & Meda Srl of Italy are pleased to announce that they have joined forces in the area of the cotton swab business. Falu will assume responsibility for customers, markets, distribution and product design under the brand name Falu, Bellini & Meda will assume responsibility for manufacturing components, modules and assemblies for the cotton business. Bellini & Meda will continue its food machine business in its own right and will remain a specialist in the field of food packaging machines. The cooperation between Bellini & Meda and Falu represents a pooling of expertise of two major players in the business. United by a common industry background, the new alliance combines a large customer base as well as a complementary product portfolio. Swiss...

Read more »

Faux Real launches humorous & outrageous apparel line

 Faux Real, the novelty shirt showcasing one-of-a kind 3D printing techniques launches a new line of entertaining apparel featuring t-shirts with images sure to garner a double take, this August at STREET/MAGIC in Las Vegas August 20 - 22. Showcasing a line of both men’s and women’s styles, Faux Real T’s are the perfect combination of quirky, funny, and scandalous pictures for consumers who want to stand out from the everyday fashion crowd.Adding to the current best selling, black and white "tuxedo shirt', and the “1970’s Hairy Chest”, a shirt printed with a peace sign necklace and aviator sunglasses over a suede vest, are shirts just...

Read more »

AP govt constitutes committees to revive handloom sector

The Department of Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India, has announced setting up of monitoring and review committees at state and district levels to oversee implementation of the Central Government’s restructuring package for the handloom sector. The state government has formed the State Implementation Monitoring and Review Committee (SIMRC), which will be headed by the Principal Secretary (Industries & Commerce), and also District Implementation Monitoring and Review committees (DIMRCs). The Government of India’s package for the revival and reform of the handloom sector, which is to be implemented between...

Read more »

Textiles Ministry rolls out new policy to boost handlooms

The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has set forth a new initiative to promote handlooms, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Central Cottage Industries Corporation (CCIC). The three bodies will work together to assist, develop, encourage and support traditional Indian weaves. The first exhibition under the new initiative, titled ‘Sarang’, was held in New Delhi, where two of the leading FDCI designers – Anju Modi and Rohit Bal – presented an exclusive peacock-inspired collection. Under the initiative, five designers will display an exclusive collection every month over a period of one year. Mr. Sunil Sethi, FDCI Chief, said the Ministry of Textiles is promoting Indian traditional handlooms in a big way and the FDCI will be working...

Read more »

Kerala handloom sector may get Central govt assistance

Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi - The Union Minister of State for Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi has assured that the Central Government would mull over extending a special assistance package aimed at preservation and promotion of traditional handloom industry of the southern Indian state of Kerala. The handloom textile industry, which once happened to be a leading source of employment in the industry-starved state, is now in a dismal condition for several reasons.  Speaking at a function organized by the employees and workers of the Kerala State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (Hantex), the Minister said that her Ministry is devising a proposal...

Read more »

Revival package to boost India’s handloom sector

The Government sponsored “Revival, Reform & Restructuring of the Handloom Sector” scheme is set to boost the ailing handloom secor in India. “The basic purpose of the package is revival of the handloom sector in the country and declogging the chocked lines of bank credit to viable/potentially viable weaver’s cooperative societies (WCS) and to the individual weavers,” Mr. P Mohanaiah, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Andhra Pradesh Regional Office, Hyderabad, told fibre2fashion. Explaining further, he says, “The recapitalization assistance will facilitate increasing the borrowing power of the Primary WCS (PWCS) and enable them to enlarge...

Read more »

Manipur banks on development of handloom & handicrafts

It is imperative to develop handloom and handicraft industries in Manipur as the state lacks fully developed industries, said Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur. Speaking at the State Handicrafts Awards ceremony organized by the Commerce and Industries Department at the Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Porompat, the Minister said that handloom and handicrafts are the major contributors to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He cautioned that if the domestic handloom and handicraft industry is not developed and if it fails to keep pace with the changing trend, the indigenous...

Read more »

J&K govt endeavours to strengthen local khadi industry

The Jammu and Kashmir state government is endeavouring to strengthen its khadi industry for betterment of those engaged in the sector. As parts of efforts, the Minister for Industries and Commerce S S Slathia distributed cheques worth two million rupees to 35 khadi institutions in the state as an incentive package for enhancing silk production in the state. The government is trying to strengthen the Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) for benefit of poor male as well as female artisans, said Mr. Slathia, who also heads KVIB as Chairman. He proposed organizing khadi and village industries exhibitions in different parts of the...

Read more »

Number of Indian handloom workers down nearly 34%

Smt. Panabakka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textile has informed that, as per Second Handloom Census, 1995-96, there were 65.5 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers. Subsequently, there has been reduction in the number and as per Third Handloom Census, 2009-10, there are 43.32 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers. The Working Group on Textile and Jute Industry for 12th Five Year Plan in its report has projected that direct and indirect employment in textiles, including handloom sector, at the end of 12th Five Year Plan would be 121.2 million, as compared to 105.40 millions at the end of 11th Five Year Plan. The required manpower is to be met through Integrated Skill Development Scheme and other developmental and welfare schemes and programmes of the Ministry of Textiles....

Read more »

India has 7200 handloom & SME clusters: Minister

Under the Government’s cluster development programme introduced to popularize the use of modern technology, there are 7200 clusters operating in the country, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, informed the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of India’s Parliament. These clusters are in the traditional handloom, handicrafts and small and medium enterprise (SME) segments, of which approximately 2500 are unmapped rural industry clusters, he said. The introduction of latest technology in India’s traditional handloom, handicrafts and SME clusters was necessary for their development, according to the Policy and...

Read more »

Presentation on India inspired SE Asian hand-woven textile

Dr. Linda S. McIntosh, consulting curator of the Tilleke & Gibbins Textile Collection and Life time member of the Thai Textile Society will give a presentation on various hand-woven textiles produced in Mainland Southeast Asia that were inspired by Indian trade textiles. The patola was the most influential trade textile in the mainland, and it was reproduced in weft ikat rather than double ikat technique by weavers in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. The brocades from Varanasi (Banares) were also replicated by weavers in these countries, and the locally woven versions were used in clothing styles of the courts. No surviving examples of patola...

Read more »

NABARD gives Rs 100mn for revival of AP handloom sector

Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Bank (APCOB) has received a sum of Rs. 100 million from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for revitalizing the state handloom industry. The sum would be utilized for recapitalization of the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (APCO). The move is in pursuance of an agreement inked by NABARD with the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Union Government for revival of the troubled handloom industry in the state. Next to agriculture, handloom sector is the second largest employer in the state, employing over 300,000 weavers, and is currently facing financial crisis. According...

Read more »

Tanzania launches natural fibre development project

As a part of its efforts to help the small scale entrepreneurs’ rise above poverty levels, Tanzania has launched a two-year natural fibre development project, promoting use of natural fibres.The project evolved by the Commonwealth Secretariat is being executed by the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO).Speaking at a workshop, Ms. Joyce Mapunjo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said SIDO should train small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on use of natural fibres, so as to help them better penetrate in the world market.Use of natural fibres has helped the country to generate new employment opportunities in the field of handicrafts businesses utilising fibres like seeds, animal wool and plant leaves to produce clothes and other products, she added.Ms....

Read more »

National Handloom Expo 2012 in Ahmedabad from March 23

A handloom fair “National Level Special Handloom Cluster Expo – 2012”, organized by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, will begin in Ahmedabad on March 23, 2012. The Expo would be inaugurated by Mr. Prahladbhai Parmar, Chairman, Gujarat State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Federation Limited (SOCOF) at 5.00 p.m. on March 23, 2012. The event is being supported by Association of Corporations and Apex Societies of Handlooms (ACASH), New Delhi, and would go on till April 6, 2012. Ahmedabad Education Society Ground, Near Helmet Circle, Vijay Char Rasta would be the venue for the Expo. F more details...

Read more »

Delhi govt hospitals to use items made by Tihar inmates

Bedsheets, blankets and other linen items produced by inmates of Tihar jail in New Delhi are likely to be utilized by government hospitals in the capital. The Delhi government is considering using the products, produced by Tihar inmates under the brand name TJ's, in 40 hospitals run by the local administration. There is a huge demand for fresh linen in Delhi government hospitals due to growing number of patients. Mr. Sunil Gupta, PRO, Tihar Central Jail, told fibre2fashion, “There is a proposal to supply products made by Tihar inmates to government hospitals in Delhi. The matter concerns the Department of Health and we are awaiting a nod...

Read more »

Innovation & Clusters the theme of FICCI MSME Summit

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) with support of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India is organizing its 3rd MSME Summit with the theme “Innovation & Clusters” on February 23, 2012 at 10.00 a.m at FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi. The distinguished speakers at the Summit include: - Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences & Ministry of Planning, Government of India - Mr. Radha Krishna Mathur, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India - Shri. Arun Maira,...

Read more »

NE Indian jute weavers can benefit from powerloom

Weavers in Northeast India can benefit from the use of powerloom in the jute sector, especially as powerloom is cost-effective. Speaking at an awareness programme on Central Government scheme for the decentralized powerloom sector in the Northeast region, Mr. Basanta Singh of the Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA), said, weavers can benefit from uprgrading their technology from handloom to ordinary powerloom in the form of increased earnings. At the programme, the schemes run by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, for promotion of the decentralized powerloom sector, were explained to the participants. A detailed...

Read more »

Silk Mark presents at Gorakhpur Special Handloom Fair-12

Varanasi Chapter participated in Special Handloom fair-12 organized by Development Commissioner, (H&H), New Delhi and Department of Handloom and Textiles U.P. Govt. from 24th January 2012 to 30th January 2012, at Town Hall, Gorakhpur. Silk Mark was displayed, through poster presentation, in the stall. Handbill and other publicity materials were also distributed. There were around 30 stalls, displaying textiles of various kinds. Silk Mark stall received substantial footfall every day. The visitors were educated about silk Silk Mark a Silk testing demo was also made. A consumer survey was carried out every day. Silk Mark Organisation of...

Read more »

DCI to display handloom denim garments at Tex Trends

Denim Club India (DCI) is proud to announce that it will be showcasing a range of exclusive Handloom denim garments from 19-21st January, 2012 at the upcoming Tex Trends India Exhibition being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. On display for the first time will be a complete range of hi-fashion apparel, including shirts, jackets, formal coats, dresses, Jodhpur pants, and many more, all made from handloom denim. These garments have been crafted out of 100% authentic handloom denim and come with the ‘Handloom Mark’ which authenticates its originality and genuinity. The handloom denim vis-a-vis mill made denim has a very low carbon footprint. The...

Read more »

Roadmap to bring in Ceylon Handlooms to Intl markets

The National Level Task Force (NLTF) formed on a high priority basis on December 22 by a top Minister for the development of Sri Lanka’s handloom sector started work on 10 January on the loom industry’s future roadmap as previously scheduled. The new national level project is expected to deliver value and professional structure to Sri Lanka’s $ 13 Mn and growing handlooms sector. “This effort will bring in Ceylon Handlooms brand to the international markets and also will upgrade and modernise in order to attract more youth to the industry to sustain its long term course. More importantly, this is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with various stakeholders such as the private, cooperative and provincial council level industries and the Universities” announced...

Read more »

Colder winter spurs demand for Kullu shawls

The demand for Kullu shawls has been relatively more this winter than last year due to minimum temperature dipping below the normal levels in Manali, a tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh of India. Kullu shawls are famous for their traditional patterns and quality. Tourists visiting Manali prefer to buy shawls from more than 150 outlets in the Kullu district due to their reasonable pricing. Speaking to fibre2fashion, Mr. BS Thakur, MD of Bhuttico Weavers’ Cooperative Society Ltd., informed, “Our sales have been 10 percent more than last year. Increase in sales is because of colder winter this year.” Briefing about the shawl handloom industry...

Read more »

TN handloom artisans to get new designs for sarees

With an eye to help the handloom artisans in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu to get acquainted with the changing market requirements and exercise a firm foothold in the field, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai, has undertaken a Design Development Project together with the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles. Pursuant to the project, NIFT is creating some 700 contemporary, marketable designs for home furnishings and sarees, which would be presented to artisans in handloom clusters in Virudhnagar, Erode, Coimbatore and Dindigul. The new designs would help artisans to better understand the present-day market requirements...

Read more »

MP Handloom Corp ups sales target by 13% this fiscal

Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation, working under the Department of Rural Industries under the State government of Madhya Pradesh, located in central India, has increased its sales target for the current fiscal by nearly 13 percent. Compared to last fiscal’s sales figure of Rs. 101.8 million achieved through its emporia, the Corporation has set a target of Rs. 115 million for 2011-12 fiscal. The Corporation has already achieved sales of Rs. 87-90 million this fiscal and is all set to achieve the new target set for the ongoing fiscal year. The outlets of the Corporation mainly deal in handloom items that constitute around 90 percent of its products and the remaining 10 percent are handicraft items. Around 66,000 handloom weavers are currently engaged by the...

Read more »