It is time for the textile industry to develop a culture of innovation: Vice President presenting Threads of Excellence awards

January 7, New Delhi: National Conclave on accomplishments and way forward for Textiles Sector was inaugurated by the Union Textiles Minister, Smriti Irani on Sunday, January 6 in New Delhi. On the same occasion, the Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu conferred awards on 17 persons for their outstanding contribution in different fields of textiles sector in the evening.

 

This was the first time that Textiles Ministry presented awards to people who have made significant contribution to textiles sector. In her address at the inauguration, Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani said, “the Textiles Ministry will address the issues flagged during the day long National Conclave on Accomplishments and Way Forward for Textiles Sector”.

The textiles sector is the second largest industry after agriculture in terms of economic contribution and employment generation in India. It currently employs over 10 crores people directly and indirectly. Women account for 70 per cent of the total workforce employed in the garmenting sector.

17 “Threads of Excellence” awards in different categories were given away by the Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu for outstanding performance and excellence in various spheres of textiles industry.

 

Speaking on the occasion, he said, “the textiles sector is playing a pivotal role in the economy and it needs to be recognized and respected by all. The Textiles Ministry has taken several initiatives during the last 4 and half years, which will yield rich dividends and will help India become one of the three largest economies of the world”. India, recently, achieved a great feat of becoming the 6th largest economy in the world. India has jumped more than 50 ranks up on the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ Index in the last two years.

 

 

“There is no dearth of talent in the country and the only thing that is needed is to tap the available talent by proper skilling and encouragement”, he added expressing hope that the felicitation of awardees will inspire others to do more to get recognition. Naidu stressed on improving the quality of products to become competitive in international markets and called upon the textiles industry to create brand for Indian textiles products.

 

 

The two-day outreach programme was launched last evening in the premises of Red Fort with presentation of eight special recognition awards for the excellent work in textiles sector. The inauguration which was also addressed by the Minister of State, Ajay Tamta and Textiles Secretary, Raghvendra Singh, was followed by panel discussions on technical textiles, ease of doing textiles business, handicrafts, access to global markets and supply chains and fashionizing weaves.