Kolkata, 5 January (H.S.): Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Sunday inaugurated the newly constructed permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Fulia, West Bengal. Built at a cost of ₹75.95 crore, the campus spans 5.38 acres and is equipped with modern facilities aimed at advancing the field of handloom and textile technology.The state-of-the-art campus boasts smart classrooms, a digital library, and advanced testing laboratories, setting a benchmark for handloom education in the country. Designed to serve students from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Sikkim, the institute is poised to become a center of excellence, combining traditional weaving techniques with cutting-edge technology.During the inauguration, Giriraj Singh emphasized the institute's role in strengthening India’s handloom sector, highlighting its potential to empower students and contribute to the country’s textile value chain. This institute is not just a building; it’s a platform where the dreams of weavers' children can come true, he stated, announcing an increase in the annual intake of students from 33 to 66.Boosting the Textile IndustryThe Union Minister outlined the government’s ambitious plans for the textile sector, aiming to reach a market size of $300 billion by 2030 and create employment for six crore individuals. The new campus, he said, would play a crucial role in achieving these goals by producing highly skilled professionals equipped to innovate and sustain the handloom craft.A unified website for all six Central IIHTs was also launched at the event, streamlining access to resources and information. Additionally, Singh presented medals and merit certificates to the top 10 rank holders across all IIHTs in India. Embracing InnovationGiriraj Singh underscored the rich legacy of Bengal’s handloom industry, recalling how its exquisite fabrics once rivaled the cloth produced in Manchester during the pre-industrial era. He expressed hope that the institute would revive this heritage by integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, particularly by using materials like flax and linen with design inputs from NIFT Kolkata.The Minister also released a book, Computer-aided Figured Graph Designing for Jacquard Weaving, during the event, reinforcing the commitment to blending tradition with technology.A Step Towards Self-RelianceConcluding his address, Singh described the institute as a convergence of simplicity, tradition, and innovation, aligning with the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). He dedicated the facility to the people of West Bengal, emphasizing its potential to globally elevate India’s handloom sector.Local MPs, MLAs, and senior officials attended the event, reflecting widespread support for the initiative aimed at transforming the handloom industry in the region.
Hindusthan Samachar / SP Singh
