The fashion industry represents a major and critical component of the Indian textile industry. Indian fashion designers have created a place for themselves in the International market by dint of their creativity and hard work. Dealing with the top segment of the textile industry, the fashion designers owe certain responsibility towards the traditional handloom weavers and handicraft artisans in the unorganised sector on the other end of the textile industry.

Handloom and handicraft products of our country form a part of our rich tradition and culture and provide livelihood to crores of people next to agriculture in the rural areas. Hon’ble Prime Minister has laid stress on linking the handloom and handicrafts with fashion industry for value addition and exploring new markets, which will increase the earnings of the weavers/artisans on a sustainable basis. Accordingly, Ministry of Textiles has taken up promotion of handloom and handicraft with fashion under the ‘Make in India’ initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister giving specific stress on “Zero defect and Zero effect”, “Skill, Scale, and Speed” for boosting up production, employment and export on a large scale for achieving the objective of making the growth participative and inclusive “Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas”.

As a part of this endeavour, efforts are being made for encouraging the handloom weavers and handicraft artisans for producing quality fabrics as per market demand. Steps are being taken to organise them into groups and provide required support for design development, training, looms, accessories, raw material etc., for weaving fabrics/making handicraft items with quality as per market demand. Common Facilities Centre with godown for storing raw material finished product office with internet facilities, rest room and training shed will be set up at a cost of about Rs. 50 lkahs for a group of weavers/artisans. The entrepreneurs dealing with fashion fabrics will be linked up with such groups for marketing including export. The Development Commissioner (Handlooms)/(Handicrafts) is taking necessary steps in this regard with the help of the Weavers’ Service Centres and concerned State Government. Further due attention is being given to social compliance like checking any incidence of child labour and environmental compliance like checking pollution of any kind for creating “Win-Win” situation and making the growth sustainable.

The entrepreneurs dealing with fashion fabrics are invited to send their choice and views.

The last date for submission of entries is 30th April, 2015.