Reviving the pride of India

FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in a recent event in the national Capital on Wednesday felicitated eminent fashion designers Asma Hussain, for reviving traditional hand woven fabrics of Varanasi and Awadh,  and Anavila Misra for innovative designs and Choti Tekam for reviving traditional art of Gond paintings. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, along with FICCI ladies organisation president ,Vinita Bimbhet and renowned fashion designer Sabayasachi Mukherji presented the ‘National Women Achievers award’ to these fashion designers and artists . From time immemorial, Indian handwoven fabrics have made their mark worldwide. 

Gradually with the coming up of factory products, the usage of such fabrics somewhere is fading.  However, through the efforts of these designers the usage of these fabrics has been kept alive.

Asma Hussain has been awarded for reviving the traditional hand woven fabrics of Varanasi like Jamdani, Kimkhwaab, Mashru and famous traditional Banarasi saree. Apart from this she strengthened the innovative use of Awadhi traditions of Chikan, Zardozi,Muqaish and Tukdi work of Lucknow.

State award winner from Madhya Pradesh Choti Tekam has been awarded for reviving the traditional tribal art of painting known as Gond art which has its distinct and elaborate illustrations.  A distinct feature of Gond paintings is that nature in the form of trees, birds, comes alive on canvases, while tribal life is also a subject that is commonly used in Gond paintings.

Anavila Misra has been awarded for innovative linen cloth product development designs and for the introduction of jari, playing with different weaves and techniques. Speaking on the occasion, Amitabh Kant said, “Start-ups and textiles are going to be the next big economic force in the country. 

“India is the world’s youngest and women driven start-up nation with  most of the founders women and young below 35 years of age.” “With Government’s initiative close to 4500 start ups in various fields exist, the government is committed to make start-up India initiative a scalable reality and to provide an environment for our start-ups to thrive in. 

The new textile policy announced by the government generate employment, especially for women”, he further added. “Indian traditional handicrafts and handmade textiles represent the country’s unique cultural mosaic and identity to the world.  Our rich heritage supported by the right policies could provide  economic potential for women and fashion designers at all levels and across all sectors. 

“India has every thing it can give to the world” said renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee was also present at the occasssion.