- Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh Inaugurates New Campus of Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) at Fulia, West Bengal
In a landmark event for the Indian textile and handloom sector, Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the new state-of-the-art campus of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) at Fulia, Nadia, West Bengal. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, education, and global recognition for India’s handloom and textile industries.
A World-Class Facility for Textile Education and Research
The sprawling 5.38-acre campus, built at an investment of ₹75.95 crore, represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure and capabilities for the institute. Equipped with modern facilities, the campus boasts:
- Smart classrooms
- Digital libraries
- Advanced testing laboratories
The new campus aims to serve as a Centre of Excellence in Handloom and Textile Technology, catering to students from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Sikkim. Recognizing the increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field, the Minister announced a doubling of the intake capacity for first-year admissions, from 33 to 66 students.
Empowering Handloom Weavers’ Children
Shri Giriraj Singh emphasized that the new IIHT campus is more than just a building—it’s a platform for the children of handloom weavers to achieve their dreams. By equipping students with modern skills and knowledge, the institute will ensure the sustainability of India’s rich handloom heritage and position the sector for global recognition.
Unified Website and New Book Launch
During the event, a unified website for all six Central IIHTs in India was launched to enhance accessibility and transparency. Additionally, the Minister released a book titled “Computer-Aided Figured Graph Designing for Jacquard Weaving”, showcasing the institute’s focus on blending traditional techniques with modern technology.
Key Highlights of the Inaugural Address
- Global Market Aspirations: Shri Giriraj Singh reiterated the Ministry of Textiles’ vision to achieve a $300 billion market size by 2030, creating employment opportunities for 6 crore people in the textile value chain.
- Focus on Flax and Linen: The IIHT Fulia will specialize in using flax and linen as raw materials, incorporating design inputs from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kolkata.
- Celebrating Bengal’s Handloom Legacy: Highlighting the historical significance of Bengal’s handloom products, the Minister said the region’s fabrics were once highly sought after, even surpassing Manchester’s textiles before the Industrial Revolution.
Guest of Honor and Dignitaries Present
The inauguration was attended by several esteemed dignitaries, including:
- Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, West Bengal
- Shri Jagannath Sarkar, MP, Ranaghat
- Shri Bankim Chandra Ghosh, MLA, Chakdaha
- Shri Ashim Biswas, MLA, Ranaghat North East
- Shri Ashis Kumar Biswas, MLA, Krishnaganj
- Dr. M. Beena, IAS, Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles
Honoring Excellence in Textile Education
The event also saw the presentation of medals and merit rank certificates to the top 10 rank holders among all IIHTs in India, recognizing their academic achievements.
Building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat
In his concluding remarks, Shri Giriraj Singh underlined the government’s efforts to blend simplicity, tradition, and technology in the textile sector. He stressed that this confluence would empower India’s handloom industry, making it a key contributor to the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
The new IIHT campus at Fulia is poised to become a hub of innovation and education in the textile sector, ensuring the growth and global recognition of India’s handloom legacy while supporting the dreams of countless aspiring professionals.
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