Ekta Mall in every state capital to feature pan-India handlooms

New Delhi: Emphasising the importance of India’s handloom sector and the convergence of old and modern to characterise today’s India, prime minister Narendra Modi introduced the Ekta Mall —a dedicated outlet in each state’s capital to display handicrafts and items created from handlooms from each state and district in India under one roof.

Ekta Mall will allow travellers to experience India’s oneness while purchasing items from every state under one roof, he said.

PM Modi was speaking on the occasion of the 9th national handloom day on Monday. As part of the day’s commemoration, he launched an e-portal ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh’, which is a repository of textiles and crafts, established by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi. A tribute was also paid to the Swadeshi Movement, which began on August 7, 1905.

In his address, he drew attention to the fact that the country is not only a ‘Local for Vocal’, but also a worldwide platform for taking India to the globe. He recalled how exhibitors used to display their wares in a tent before the Bharat Mandapam’s opening event.

PM Modi credited Swadeshi Movement as a source of inspiration for India’s autonomous economy and encouraged the government to connect India’s weavers with the people. He expressed satisfaction with India’s progress via the achievements of its weavers and focused attention on the variety of garments offered on the occasion.

Modi recalled the pressing need to identify and assemble India’s various apparel and expressed joy that it has now come to fruition with the introduction of the e-portal.

“Nine years ago, the turnover of khadi and village industries was approximately Rs 25-30 thousand crores. But it has already surpassed 1,30,000 crore in recent times. An additional Rs 1 lakh crore has been allocated to individuals in the handloom business in rural and tribal areas,” said Modi.

Citing a Niti Aayog Report, he said that 13.5 crore people had been lifted out of poverty in the previous five years, and credited the rise in daily wages for this.

Textile programs advocate social justice

Modi expressed happiness that textile-related programs are becoming a key source of social justice, with lakhs of people employed in handloom labour in rural and cities across the country.

He emphasised that the majority of these individuals are from Dalit, backward, pasmanda, and tribal groups, resulting in increased employment and income. He cited initiatives for power, water, and gas connections, as well as Swacch Bharat and free rationing, pucca houses, and free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh.

Preserving textile heritage

The PM lauded the government’s efforts to preserve the textile industry heritage while attracting the globe in a new avatar.

He announced a scholarship of up to Rs 2 lakh at textile colleges for skill training of weavers and the children of handicraft persons. Over the previous nine years, more than 600 handloom clusters have been established, and thousands of weavers have been educated.

In addition to these measures, the government provides raw materials such as yarn to handloom weavers at reduced prices and bears the cost of transportation. Furthermore, the Mudra Yojana now allows weavers to obtain loans without a guarantee.

Boon to small artisans

GeM Portal, commonly known as the Government e-Marketplace, allows even the most small-scale artisan, craftsman, or weaver to sell directly to the government. Today, about 1.75 lakh organisations involved in handloom and handicrafts are linked to the GeM platform.

Apart from the initiatives taken to become one of the world’s top three economies, the prime minister focused attention on the necessity to broaden the scope of thought and activity. He highlighted the importance of ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort) in making India’s handloom, khadi, and textile sectors world champions.

The PM also drew attention to India’s growing neo-middle class, which provides great potential for textile industries. He criticised the practice of importing textiles and stressed the need to invest in and build the local supply chain for the future.