FLO to collaborate with weavers

FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) – one of the most prestigious pan India forums working towards the goal of women empowerment – in its bid to boost country's handwoven, hand embroidered and handcrafted heritage, will be working directly with weavers and designers to boost sales in India and abroad.

"The handloom and handicraft sector showcases the country's unique cultural mosaic and rich heritage. It also has the economic potential to strengthen livelihoods in a sustainable manner. However, a prime concern in this sector is that there is a dearth of information available on the artisans as well as their linkages with buyers, designers, and importers," said Pinky Reddy while speaking at the Handloom Business Meet titled 'Hathkargha', organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) along with parent body FICCI and Facebook on October 8.

Inaugurating the meet, Union Textile Minister Smriti Zubin Irani informed that India exported handcrafted goods worth Rs 1.36 lakh crore in the last four years. She also urged social networking giant Facebook and businesswomen organisation FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) to get involved directly with weavers, help generate additional income for them besides connecting them directly with the buyers in India and abroad as well as with modern Indian customers.

"Handlooms and handmade textile products is a sub-sector which has achieved its recognition and glory in the internal arena. Harnessing of skills, design intervention, and access to credit will play a big role in forging the global luxury industry ahead. FLO in it's bid to empower handloom women weavers has already compiled and released a Women Artisans Craft Directory, which covers the 29 states of India and highlights the creative dexterity of more than 400 women along with their contact details," said Reddy.

"The Women artisans craft directory is an effort to support women artisans from various parts of the country to connect directly with buyers across India and the world. It will also help bridge the gap between India's skilled women artisans and discerning buyers as it will establish a direct link with artisans, bring them recognition and respect," added Reddy.

"FLO has also been working with various eminent designers and fashion entrepreneurs who understand the true potential of handlooms and handicrafts and its significant role in providing employment to a vast segment of the craftsperson, thereby preserving the intangible heritage of our country," she said.

Reddy concluded by saying, "This is the only sector that offers the promise and potential to preserve and promote India's cultural identity. With the more active promotion, additional financing and tax breaks for the handloom industry, India could provide the finest hand makers of the world."