Team Herald
PANJIM: The Textiles Ministry has extended its support to revive the languishing weaving industry including the almost-extinct traditional Kunbi saree in Goa.
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani who was in Goa held a meeting with State Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude on Thursday, during which the issue of the dying tradition of weaving Kunbi sarees was discussed.
“If there are people who want to revive the Kunbi saree, Government of India is happy to extend support, especially for revival of skills and crafts. Whoever wants to revive the tradition of weaving Kunbi sarees in and outside Goa would be provided assistance by the Union government,” she said.
Irani urged those interested in technical textiles to invest in Goa. “Technical textiles have huge scope in Goa and I hope there are investments here,” she added.
Claiming that the Narendra Modi government has given a push to the textile industry, Irani said the introduction of Mudra Yojana has helped weavers in a big way. “We have attached the weavers to Mudra Yojana. Any weaver who has been benefitted with this has his income capacity rising by 60-80 per cent,” she said.
Speaking on schemes she said, “One of the biggest challenges is that the looms get old and a hefty payment is required for a new one. We are imparting soft skills that includes packaging and international design concept. Once the training is through, we ensure that participants take any loom of their choice. The Centre pays 90 percent while the rest is for the weaver to pay.”
Meanwhile, India is hosting the first international conference and exhibition on textiles in Gujarat from June 30 to July 2, that will see 60 countries participating.
