- Handloom Sector should target premium niche market through confluence of modernity with tradition, innovative designs and focussed market strategies: Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles.

• - Union Minister of Textiles appealed to all the Stake holders at “Handloom Conclave: Manthan” to make Handloom sector ‘Atmanirbhar’ by changing conventional mind set and making handloom weaving self-sustainable through innovative technological solutions and create a brand image for handloom products in global market.
• - Union Minister of Textiles highlighted that the Textile Ministry is a perfect example of PM Modi’s vision of women empowerment as all the key functionaries of the Ministry are women and majority of artisan/weavers employed in the textile industry are also women.
• - Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh launched Handloom Weavers E-Pehchaan portal and Online module for Handloom Awards.

Union Minister of Textiles also urged organised/corporate sector working Textile industry to develop a model to provide sustainable livelihood ensuring social security and fair remuneration for Handloom weavers. An Award will be started by Textile Ministry for corporates/producer companies/Start-ups, which will create such a model for Handloom industry and provide sustainable employment to handloom weavers for minimum 300 days/year.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles Pabitra Margherita addressed the event and emphasized that Handloom products are living testament of cultural heritage of our country. He also highlighted the importance of rejuvenating Handloom industry as a vibrant sector, which provides fair earnings to attract the younger generation.

Secretary/Textiles while addressing the event highlighted that the ‘Conclave-Manthan’ is a ‘Chintan Shivir’, which is an effort of Ministry to establish “Samvaad’ with stakeholders to address concerns regarding availability of marketing avenues and attrition of youth from Handloom weaving. She also emphasized upon creating a synergy between modern education and traditional knowledge.

Key highlights of the Event:

• In the Conclave 03 technical sessions were organized:

1. Support for start-up eco system in Handloom Sector.
2.  Handloom Marketing Avenues and strategies.
3. Modelling Handloom Sector for Young Weavers: Approach and Strategy.
4.  

The key deliverables of the technical sessions are:

1. Focussing on Niche products.
2. Attractive packaging as an important value proposition. 
3. Promote viable employment opportunities in handloom sector to attract youth.
4. Curriculum for training courses to be designed in such a manner that it incorporates soft skills, IT knowledge and presentation skills.
5. Customers buy story behind the product, story behind making of product may be highlighted to attract customers.
6. To incorporate handloom weaving as a part of formal education.