New Delhi, Feb 11 (KNN) Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal chaired a meeting with Designers and discussed ideas on making India the fashion capital of the world and empowering our country’s artisans & weavers.

U.P. Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Shantmanu, Director General of NIFT were also present in the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the collaboration of designer craft people and how interventions of technology & marketing strategies can increase the scalability of the craft. Protection of craft and craft people.

Sustenance of craft is very important. Crafts should be given the status of luxury as it is labour of love, said the designers present in the meeting. 

While  appreciating the designers for their point of view as well their passion for Indian Crafts. Goyal emphasized that art, craft, culture, tradition and heritage of a nation is to be respected. 

He assured the designers that all the points raised or discussed are well noted and will be taken into account in the way forward. 

The idea of wearing khadi/ handloom one day a week and the sense of designers having pride in the nation was appreciated. “It opens up a lot of possibilities and that the designers have a huge role to play”, he said.

The Minister also urged the designers to work in synergy towards one goal of  ensuring that each of the 75 lakhs identified craft people earns Rs.1000+ every month. 

The Minister also called upon the entire ecosystem of NIFT with over 30000 alumni to  get together to bring in a change in the craft ecosystem.  

Each alumnus should adopt a craft person and devote time to educate the non-privileged section of the society on various aspects of design, management and technology, he added.

Goyal  also stated that India should ultimately become the fashion capital of the world. India should mark its presence globally by having its products displayed alongside the prominent fashion houses of the world.  

He said, “Taking pride is important and without prejudice one needs to take the ideas forward for the sake of the progress of the nation. Collaboration is the key point and all together can make Indian Craft presence felt globally and all will benefit”.

The meeting was also attended by Prof. Dr.VandanaNarang, the Dean Academics and Prof, Dr.Jonalee D Bajpai, Head of Industry and Alumni Affair from NIFT. (KNN/AT)