Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister of Textiles, addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: The Union Textiles Minister, Dayanidhi Maran, is all set to embark on a major mission to help diversify the world market for textile exports from India, with a visit to Japan next week heading a first-ever joint delegation of Government and industry representatives.

During the visit, from July 20 to 22, Mr. Maran will address a business meeting hosted by Japan-India Business Cooperation Committee (JIBC), apart from inaugurating the Indian pavilion at the International Fashion Fair, which is being held from July 22 to 24 in Tokyo.
The visit comes in the backdrop of a steep drop in textile exports from India over the past one year on account of falling demand in the U.S. and Europe, which have been the two major markets for Indian textiles products. While the global economic slowdown has hit all the countries, demand for textile goods had been affected the most in the U.S. and Europe. Of late, there has been some improvement in the U.S. market, but no change in the European market.

Emphasising that his visit was not intended merely as a stop-gap measure to tide over the crisis, but to build a long-term relationship with Japan, Mr. Maran said, “It was our fault that we had so far been focussing mainly on the U.S. and European Union. We want to change this now”.

Addressing a group of Indian and Japanese journalists, he expressed confidence that the Japanese would get attracted to Indian textile products. “Indian industry adopts highest standards of quality. India also has stringent labour laws for the protection of the workers and follows eco-friendly policies. The Japanese consumers need not have any doubts. Our products are certified by the Europeans and they follow the world’s best standards”.
In a lighter vein, he reminded the Japanese journalists that Tirupur, which is the major hub for textile exports from India, was located in Tamil Nadu, from where film star, Rajnikant, also hailed. Rajnikant is reportedly very popular in Japan.

The delegation includes leading textile manufacturers and exporters from Tirupur and Coimbatore clusters, apart from representatives of Apparel Export Promotion Council, Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council and Knitwear Technology Mission.

At present, India had a negligible market share of 1.12 per cent in Japanese textile import basket. China is its predominant trade partner in the sector, accounting for 92 per cent of the basket. Much of the trade came from units set up by the Japanese industry and business.

During the visit, Mr. Maran will try to woo Japanese industry and business to invest in the Indian textile sector too. Recalling the slogan of “come to India, set up manufacturing units in India, sell in India and make money,” which he had successfully adopted to get foreign direct investment into the IT and telecom sector when he was the Union Minister for IT and Telecom, he pointed out that 100 per cent FDI (foreign direct investment) was allowed in the textile sector. “There is a huge scope for Japanese investments to update spinning, weaving, processing and garmenting facilities”.

To a question raising doubts about the investment climate in India, he pointed out that several foreign companies, including Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Samsung, and Nokia have set up units in India and they were doing fine.

The National Textile Policy

Rajya Sabha The National Textile Policy – 2000 formulated in the year 2000 with an objective of strengthening textile industry including creating additional employment opportunities is in vogue and it is applicable till 2010. Govt. formulates new textile policies from time to time based on the needs of the industry. (i) In order to facilitate modernization / technology upgrdation of textiles mills, Government had launched Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for Textile and Jute Industries w.e.f. 1.4.1999 for a period of 5 years which was subsequently extended up to 31.3.2007 and further extended during Eleventh Five Year Plan upto 31/03/2012. It is a credit linked scheme and provides interest reimbursement of 5% points on the interest charged by the lending agency on a TUFS compatible machinery / project. The scheme provides an additional option to the powerloom units to avail of 20% Margin Money subsidy in lieu of 5% interest reimbursement on investment in TUF compatible machinery. The scheme also provides 15% Margin Money subsidy for SSI textile and jute sector in lieu of 5% interest reimbursement. The scheme provides 5% interest reimbursement plus 10% capital subsidy for specified processing, technical textiles and garmenting machineries. (ii) In order to provide infrastructure support, the govt. has initiated Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) w.e.f. August 2005. Under the scheme, govt. support is restricted to 40% of the project cost subject to ceiling of Rs. 40 crore. (iii) National Jute Policy – 2005 was framed and operationalised from 1.3.2007 for five years with four Mini Missions. Each Mini Mission has several schemes for promotion and development of the jute sector. The Mini Mission has a scheme on “Acquisition of Machinery and Plant” with an outlay of Rs.82 crores. Under this scheme, all eligible Jute Mills/Jute Diversified Products (JDP)/manufacturing units are entitled to get subsidies for procurement of the eligible machinery, for modernisation, upgradation/or establishing a new unit. The sudsidy is 20% of the cost of identified plant and machinery procured by Jute Mills/JDP units upto a maximum of Rs.75 lakhs per company. For machinery set up in North Eastern States and for new projects, the ceiling is Rs.100 lakhs per recipient. So far twelve (12) Apparel Park projects under the Apparel Park for Exports Scheme (APES) have been sanctioned, with a total project cost of Rs.437.44 crores, including Government of India assistanceof Rs.184.22 crores. Grant-in-aid amounting to Rs.125.00 crores has so far been released under the scheme. State-wise sanction is – One each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and two each in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks (SITP) was brought into force in 2005-06 by merging the then existing two schemes, namely, Apparel Park for Exports Scheme (APES) and Textile Centers Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS). So far forty (40) textiles parks projects under the Scheme of Integrated Textiles Parks have been sanctioned with a total project cost of Rs.4203.15 crores, including Government of India assistance of Rs.1438.03 crores. Grant-in-aid amounting to Rs.475.21 crores has so far been released under the Scheme. State-wise sanction is – Maharashtra (9), Gujarat (7), Andhra Pradesh (6), Tamil Nadu (6), Rajasthan (4), Punjab (3), West Bengal (2), Madhya Pradesh (1), Karnataka (1), Assam (1). As far as Orissa and Jharkhand States are concerned, no project has been sanctioned under any of the aforesaid schemes i.e. Apparel Park for Export Scheme and Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks. This information was given by the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri E.V.K.S. Elangovan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. NSK/SL

Textile exports may touch $22 billion

COIMBATORE: India’s textile exports in 2008-09 are expected to be close to $22 billion. Shipments in 2007-08 were $21.47 billion. A senior official in the Union Ministry of Textiles told The Hindu that “We will be close to that”. Domestic demand for textiles and clothing continued to be significant and export orders were relatively dull. However, Indian companies were also getting some orders diverted from China. According to data available, textile exports from April 2008 to February 2009 were nearly $20.5 billion against $19 billion in the year-ago period.

An official of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry said textile exports were good during the first 3-4 months of the last financial year and had declined in the last three months. Thus exports can only be maintained at last year’s level. Joint Textile Secretary J. N. Singh said a special package, including non-fiscal measures, would help revive the sector.
Courtesy: The Hindu 28th May -Online edition

Patola: a double ikat fabric from Gujarat

Patola is possibly derived from the Sanskrit word “Pattakula”, meaning a silk fabric. It is a legendary heritage of Indian textiles from North Gujarat. A double ikat silk fabric in which both warp as well as weft threads are dyed into a complicated pattern, It is one of most complex textile-weaving techniques in the world and highly priced fabric.

The design in a patola is based on traditional motifs called "Bhat". These designs include: Chhabdi/ Chaabri bhat , Fulvali bhat, Paan bhat, Ratan chown bhat, Akhrot bhat, Okhar bhat ,Nari Kunjar bhat, Popat kunjar, Wagh bar hathi bhat/ Wagh kunjar, Vohra Cheer bhat,Maharas bhat,Chowkhadi bhat .Motifs of Patola though few are strictly Indian ……………………………..click here for more details

SILK- a natural fibre

Silk –often referred to as “The Queen of Textiles” is the strongest natural fibre lustrous, smooth, inherent affinity for dyes, vibrant colours, having high absorbent and light weight qualities excellent drape and elastic properties. Historically this is the highly desired fibre which has been used extensively for apparels, home furnishings and upholstery. Because of its lustrous look silk is always in vogue and cost highly. People love to dress in silk during festive season and during their family functions.

China is the first to discover this remarkable fibre incidentally in about 2600B.C. For many years China alone used to produce silk fibre and was producing this fine fabric , as the demand developed the secret was stolen out of China and eventually a large silk industry developed in Europe, Spain, Italy, France , India, Syria etc.

Muga, Tasar, Oak, Eri & Mulberry are the five major types of silk of commercial importance, obtained from different species of silkworms which in turn feed on a number of food plan. Except mulberry, other varieties of silks are generally termed as non-mulberry silks. India has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk. .......... click here for details

Technorati Profile

KANTHA- A Folk Embroidery Of Bengal

Any garment or cloth with kantha embroidery (which forms or outlines decorative motifs with running stitch) is a kantha garment……………………
A kantha is rich multicolored embroidery from West Bengal. It is done with simple running stitches. Rural women’s in Bengal typically use discarded saris, dhotis and cloth and layer them with stitches to make a quilt, light blanket shawls, throws or bedspread………
There are seven different types of kantha:
Archilata kantha, Baiton kantha, Durjani/thalia, Lep kantha, Oaar kantha, Sujani kantha, Rumal kantha ….. click here for details

Bhagalpur craftsmen face unprecedented crisis

The once famous silk of Bhagalpur, is now loosing its sheen. The industry is suffering from numerous issues like lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition from the other silk manufacturing centers. The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a decent figure of Rs.3,500 crore in 2007, silk exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2,000 crore in 2009. Many looms in Bhagalpur are dependent on generator power. Bhagalpur gets power barely for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts in the state have worsened the problem. The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment of their loans. While the skilled Bhagalpuri craftsmen make fancy fabrics for the elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. Possibilities exist that; weavers might shift to alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition.

Kantha Revival

Stitch needlework, or kantha, once confined to rural households of West Bengal, has been revived by entrepreneur Shamlu Dudeja, who has introduced the art on saris and even western wear. Today she has over 800 women in employment, and her clothes with kantha designs are retailed in outlets all over the world, writes Ajitha Menon.

Women doing kantha work at Sahapara in South 24 Parganas district of West BengalWomen of the Nivedita Self-Help Group in Bankura district involved in intricate embroidery
As a girl of nine, Shamlu Dudeja remembers embroidering paisleys on tea-pot covers under the tutelage of a Bengali crafts teacher in Delhi. Little did she realise then that this running stitch needlework, or kantha as it is popularly known in West Bengal, would become her weapon for empowering women.
Women in Bengal have been running stitches along layers of old clothes to churn out quilts and duvets for use during winters for almost six decades now. This traditional household chore has always adhered to what has now become the modern mantra of recycle and reuse.
Unfortunately, kantha remained confined within rural households until Dudeja brought about its revival in the 1980s, providing gainful employment to over 800 women in four districts of West Bengal. "I moved to Kolkata as a young bride in 1962, but it was only in the 1980s that I got interested in kantha. My career as a mathematics teacher came to an end when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While recovering from my operation, I developed an interest in kantha, having seen some old work at the Crafts Council showroom on Theatre Road in Kolkata," explains Dudeja.
The traditional kantha was always done on two to four layers of mostly old cotton cloth, and the designs were rural and folksy, usually depicting the lives of the villagers, village women at work, ducks and ponds, palm trees and fields, cattle, harvesting, and so on. Scenes from epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana also figured prominently in the work.
However, Dudeja, along with artiste Sreelata Sarkar, decided to introduce the stitch on saris, salwar suits and even western wear. Dudeja’s first team of workers comprised four women from Santiniketan in Birbhum district. These women were already doing kantha on small pieces of layered cloth as decorative items and selling them to tourists and visitors. "They had been doing kantha at home for almost 25 years. They had the experience, stable hands and excellent colour sense," remarks Dudeja.
The women were given two white silk saris and told to do kantha designs on them. Initially, they balked at doing the needlework on a single layer of new silk cloth, an idea contrary to the tradition of working on layers of old cotton cloth only. They were also unsure of the design. But after being convinced by Dudeja, who suggested they do the paisley motif as the base design, they got to work. It took them three months, but the ensuing pieces were works of art. When Dudeja found instant buyers amongst her friends, she knew she was on a winning track.
The women were extremely happy to be paid fair prices for their efforts when normally they would get just a few rupees for their hard work. It was then that Dudeja realised the power of kantha. She hired the first four women as her team leaders to recruit more rural women to do this exquisite needlework on a regular basis. The idea was to convince village housewives to work for Mallika’s Kantha Collection or MKC (Dudeja’s daughter Mallika, founded the private limited company) during the same hours in the afternoon after lunch when all the housework had been done and the women were relatively free.
Most women were quick to take up the offer of earning money for doing something they did anyway every day. Gradually, the group expanded from Birbhum to North and South 24 Parganas, Burdwan and Nadia districts. "I had a dream to become self-dependent. I wanted a job desperately. When I realised that there was need for women who could do kantha work, I immediately signed up as it was something I was doing from childhood. My husband earns Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 as a driver. Now, with my earnings of about Rs 2,000 per month as a team leader, I can send my children to school and give them nutritious food without any monetary worries," says Putul Das (35) of Sahapara in South 24 Parganas district.
In South 24 Parganas alone, about 250 women work diligently in the afternoons in their courtyards, near the pond, under the shade of a mango tree, often in groups to fulfil MKC’s orders. "This livelihood has brought dignity into our lives. My husband eyes me with respect now. I have a say in all the decisions within my family. I have personal pocket money now to buy things for myself. I can buy things for my son. I contributed for my daughter’s marriage. This is the best I can hope for in life—the knowledge that I do have a skill that sells," remarks Bharati Singh (45) of Naskarpara in South 24 Parganas district.
However, for Dudeja this was not enough. She formed SHE (Self-Help Enterprise)—a non-profit body to provide medical help, nutrition assistance and education to rural women. SHE is largely funded by MKC and also run as a cooperative where women bring in their kantha pieces for sale. The proceeds are used to give interest-free loans to women. Talks are currently on to provide medical insurance to rural women through the organisation.
Currently, the MKC has over 700-800 women working for it. Most of them work for two to three hours every day in the afternoons. The kantha goods—varying from saris to salwar-kameez, lehengas to scarves and blouses and utility items such as bedcovers, floor rugs and lamp shades—are sold from several outlets in Kolkata. The merchandise is retailed through stores belonging to designers like Tarun Tahiliani; through the boutiques run by the Oberoi Group of hotels; and also through outlets in London, Paris, Santa Fe and Washington. The MKC holds regular exhibitions in India and abroad and also offers kantha panel displays to museums across the country.
Over 4,000 rural women, through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), are earning money from kantha today across other districts like Bankura and Purulia. These SHGs have healthy deposits ranging between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, which are used to give loans to the members.
"More than the money, we have earned power through kantha. Now we can demand road repairs, we can ask men to stop wife abuse, we can prevent child marriages and ensure children’s education. We earn, so we are heard now," says Saiba Sarkar (54) of Nivedita SHG in Nitayanandpur Colony, Bankura. This is the dream that Shamlu Dudeja had worked for. — WFS
Courtesy: spectrum, the tribune 22nd march 2009

Index for textiles group up by 0.6%

The official Wholesale Price Index for 'All Commodities' (Base: 1993-94 = 100) for the week ended 9th May 2009 rose by 0.2 percent to 232.0 (Provisional) from 231.6 (Provisional) for the previous week. The annual rate of inflation, calculated on point to point basis, stood at 0.61 percent (Provisional) for the week ended 09/05/2009 (over 10/05/2008) as compared to 0.48 percent (Provisional) for the previous week (ended 02/05/2009) and 8.57 percent during the corresponding week (ended10/05/2008) of the previous year. The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:- - PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 22.02%) The index for this major group rose by 0.5 percent to 256.0 (Provisional) from 254.7 (Provisional) for the previous week. The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the week are as follows:- The index for 'Non-Food Articles' group rose by 0.4 percent to 234.3 (Provisional) from 233.3 (Provisional) for the previous week due to higher prices of raw cotton and raw silk (2% each) and rape & mustard seed, gingelly seed and castor seed (1% each). However, the prices of copra (3%) and raw rubber (2%) declined. - MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 63.75%) The index for this major group rose by 0.1 percent to 203.3 (Provisional) from 203.0 (Provisional) for the previous week. The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the week are as follows:- The index for 'Textiles' group rose by 0.6 percent to 141.2 (Provisional) from 140.4 (Provisional) for the previous week due to higher prices of synthetic yarn and hessian & sacking bags (4% each) and hessian cloth (3%). FINAL INDEX FOR THE WEEK ENDED 14th March 2009 For the week ended 14/03/2009, the final wholesale price index for 'All Commodities’ (Base:1993-94=100) stood at 228.0 as compared to 227.0 (Provisional) and annual rate of inflation based on final index, calculated on point to point basis, stood at 0.71 percent as compared to 0.27 percent (Provisional) reported earlier vide press note dated 26/03/2009.

[i] Press Information Bureau, GOI

PHULKARI & BAGH -: Folk Art Of Punjab

Phulkari, is a traditional simple and sparcely embroidered fabric from Punjab, India, Phul means flower and kari means work i.e 'flower work'. It is a age old traditional folk art of Punjab which is done on coarse khadi fabric –a homespun cloth embroidered with silk threads called pat with bright colours like golden, green, blue, crimson, yellow and pink on beige and red colour.


Bagh litreally means garden and is one of the kind of Phulkari….In phulkari the cloth is ornamented by embroidery technique and in Bagh the fabric is embroidered fully so that the base fabric is not visible. There are a variety of Phulkari styles used for different occasions and purposes like the Chope, Vari-da-Bagh, Darshan Dwar, Ghunghat Bagh, Bawan Bagh, Suber, Chamba and Nilak etc...for details click here…

Textile Trade Shows Fairs and Events

Click here for a list of textile fairs, trade shows
and events 2009-2010






If you fail to access the file from the above link pls. copy and paste the following
url in the address bar of your browser http://www.archive.org/download/TextileFairsAndEvents/Fairs_and_events.pdf

Imports Of Acrylic Fibre Into India

On April 30, Fibre2fashion had reported about the Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS), recommending to the government to impose a 20 percent safeguard duty on imports of acrylic fibre into India, to avoid a surge in shipments of the same.Reportedly, the Standing Board on Safeguards, has overruled the suggestion of the DGS, by saying that there was not enough ground to take immediate action on imposing duty on acrylic fibres and other products like hot-rolled steel, paper and auto components.The Standing Board has instructed the DGS to give a re-look at submissions made by all parties, including end users over the next tow months, before submitting a fresh proposal to the board for imposing safeguard duty.

Courtesy: Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

Weatherproof Garment introduces 'klymit kontrolled' garments

As a 60-year pioneer in the outerwear business, Weatherproof Garment Company once again blows away the competition with the industry’s first hot-air insulated jackets. Partnering with Klymit, a noble gas technology company based in Ogden, Utah, Weatherproof has the rights to sales and marketing of fashionable outerwear in the US market using this new state-of-the-art method. The design and technology of this “klymit kontrolled” garment allows for ultimate mobility without the bulk of fabric and fibers to keep you warm; the insulation significantly reduces the bulkiness and excess weight of all their products. In addition, the coat will stay warm even when wet. The membranes keep the gas from contact with any outside elements. The technology uses “noble gases,” which are much lighter than fabric and fibers to heat your body. A chamber-seam design combined with high-tech membranes provides room for argon gas to be spread throughout the jacket, providing as much or as little insulation/heat as desired, at the touch of a button. A hidden compartment stores the 38 gram argon gas canister; a pressure release valve, weighing just 68 grams, contains the button control of the gas. “We are extremely excited at the premise of launching this innovative garment with futuristic qualities,” says Eliot Peyser, CEO of Weatherproof Garment Company. “With Klymit’s brilliant concept, this is sure to be the wave of the future; by partnering with them we are on the forefront of this new technology.”Weatherproof is a division of David Peyser Sportswear, a family owned and operated supplier of outerwear and sportswear since 1948. The divisions of Weatherproof Garment Company include MV Sport, which is the leading maker of custom decorated apparel for college bookstores, resorts, golf shops, military exchanges, and the advertising specialty industry; men’s and women’s sweaters; children’s outerwear; and accessories such as gloves, hats, bags and travel accessories, stain-resistant shirts and ties, sportswear, rainwear, footwear, leather goods, gifts, loungewear and clothing.

Weatherproof Garment Company

Courtesy: Fibre to fashion