Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the e-portal Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh – A Repository of Textiles & Crafts developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
He presided over the 9th National Handloom Day celebrations at Pragati Maidan, Delhi and also visited the exhibition showcased on the occasion and interacted with the weavers.
Addressing the event, the PM said, “The India of today is not just ‘Local for Vocal’ but also providing a global platform to take it to the world”.
“India possesses a beautiful rainbow of clothing”, the Prime Minister said as he observed the diversity in clothing ranging from the tribal communities in far-fetched areas to people living in the snow-clad mountains, and from people in the coastal regions to those living in the desert as well as the clothing available in the markets of India.
He recalled urging the need to enlist and compile the diverse clothing of India and expressed delight that it has come to fruition today with the launch of Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh.
This Kosh, the online repository will serve as a one-of-a-kind knowledge platform that will lay down a framework to weave the past and present status of textile, clothing and related crafts with a focus on futuristic developments. The e-portal is a brainchild of the PM who exhorted the Ministry of Textiles in 2017 to “catalogue India’s clothing diversity depicting strength and specialities of each region”. The digital portal will also provide access to vast database including research papers, case studies, dissertations and doctoral theses on textiles, clothing and craft related areas.
Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal also addressed the event and said that the Prime Minister is the brand ambassador of Indian handlooms all over the world as he often gives Indian handloom gifts to the global leaders.
The event was hosted jointly by the Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Union Minister, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
