Make in India: A Platform to Indian Handloom Market

Abstract

Make in India-a program designed and initiated by the government of India to promote India as a global manufacturing destination, facilitate investment, foster innovation, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure. This 'Make in India' campaign covering 25 sectors, including the textiles and garments, is going to become a land mark for Indian Textiles Industry. Handloom being a major sub-sector of Indian Textiles Industry plays a pivotal role in Indian economy, providing direct employment to over 65 lakh persons engage in weaving and allied activities. With almost one fourth of the total textile production and contributing substantially to the export earnings, the handloom remains dominant industrial sector in the country. Handloom is unparalleled in its flexibility and versality, permitting experimentation and encouraging innovation. Innovative weavers with their skillful blending of myths, faiths, symbols and imagery provide the fabric an appealing dynamism. But still handloom continues to be a traditional and hereditary occupation, using traditional methods of production and designs due to lack of exposure, awareness and knowledge about changing technologies, methods and the requirements. Therefore, there is a need to make handloom tradition fashionable by introducing new designs and colour schemes, so that it can find a reference place in global textiles industry. Handloom weavers can make it possible by using 'Make in India' as a platform and at the same time can promote themselves and their innovative products not only in India but in global market also.