KTR Asks IT Industry To Wear Handlooms Once A Week:- Industries and Handlooms Minister KT Rama Rao has requested employees in the Information Technology sector to follow the same suit. Earlier KTR got all government employees to wear handloom clothes once a week.
This move is to promote handlooms and encourage sales of the same in the State. KTR also wanted other industries like hospitals and the hospitality sector to support handlooms in the State.
“Do not look at handlooms as a commercial product or a business proposition, instead admire it as an art form,” said Rao while addressing the National Handloom Day celebrations here on Monday.
However, the Minister wanted the Handlooms and Textiles department to improve the designs and make handloom garments more appealing to the present generation. Unless new design elements and, new design patterns were introduced, the present generation will not be interested in buying the dresses and other articles, he said.
The State government is extending all support in design development, value addition and brand promotion. Towards this initiative, the government has appointed Tollywood actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the brand ambassador for handlooms. If need be, private designers would be roped in to enhance the designs and them make them more appealing, he said.
The State government further, to extend social security and financial support to the weavers had launched “Nethanna Cheyutha” savings scheme, where in the weaver has to invest a little amount and the government would be investing double the amount invested by the weaver. On maturity, the amount can be utilized by the weavers for different purposes, the Minister explained.
Minister @KTRTRS inaugurated 'Chenetha Sambaralu' at People's Plaza as part of National Handloom Day celebrations #WearHandloom pic.twitter.com/wyntkEa2CZ
— Min IT, Telangana (@MinIT_Telangana) August 7, 2017
“This apart, the Government will be shortly waiving off personal loans of the weavers and has allocated Rs 15 crore under this initiative,” Rao announced.
The Minister also said geo-tagging of handlooms and power looms was being taken up to ascertain the number of handlooms and plan things accordingly. Telangana was the only State in the country extending 50 per cent subsidy to weavers for purchasing yarn, dyes and chemicals, he said.
In response to the Minister’s appeal, Hyderabad Software Enterprise Association president Ranga Pothula said 4.5 lakh direct and 6.5 lakh indirect employees were working in Hyderabad.
“A circular will be issued shortly requesting the employees to wear handlooms one day in a week,” he said. Similarly, The managements of Apollo Hospitals and Country Clubtoo declared that their employees would be sporting handlooms one day in a week.
Earlier, a Handloom Walk was conducted from NTR Gardens to People’s Plaza, where a Handloom Expo is being organized till August 15.
Let's pledge our support for weavers. Join the Walk For Weavers on National Handloom Day. #WearHandloom pic.twitter.com/mMIiueCx36
— Min IT, Telangana (@MinIT_Telangana) August 6, 2017
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