Giriraj Inaugurates New ₹76 Crore Campus of Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Fulia, West Bengal
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Fulia (West Bengal), Jan 5 (NationPress) Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Sunday inaugurated the new permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, which was built at an investment of ₹75.95 crore in Fulia, located in the Nadia district of West Bengal.
The expansive campus covers an area of 5.38 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including smart classrooms, a digital library, and advanced testing laboratories. This new establishment aims to serve as a premier educational hub and a center of excellence in handloom and textile technology, catering to the academic needs of students from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Sikkim.
During the inauguration, a unified website for all six Central IIHTs was launched. The minister also presented medals and merit rank certificates to the top ten achievers among the IIHTs across India.
“The Textile Ministry is dedicated to achieving a market size of $300 billion by 2030 and creating employment for 6 crore individuals in the textile value chain,” stated Giriraj Singh during the event.
Additionally, a book titled ‘Computer-aided Figured Graph Designing for Jacquard Weaving’ was unveiled by the Minister at the ceremony.
In his inaugural remarks, Giriraj Singh emphasized the various schemes of the textile ministry that contribute to the ‘Vikas & Pragati’ of handloom weavers. He dedicated this institute, equipped with world-class infrastructure, to West Bengal and announced an increase in first-year admissions from 33 to 66. This initiative will provide opportunities for the children of handloom weavers to study at this institute and support the handloom industry in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Sikkim.
The minister also noted that IIHT Fulia will play a vital role in the textile value chain by utilizing Flax and linen as raw materials while incorporating design inputs from NIFT, Kolkata.
Furthermore, the Union Minister highlighted the rich legacy of handloom weaving in West Bengal and remarked that the demand for handloom products surpassed that of cloth produced in Manchester prior to the industrial revolution. The quality of Bengal’s hand-woven fabrics is such that a saree can pass through a small ring.
He stated that this IIHT facility is more than just a structure; it serves as a platform for the children of handloom weavers to realize their aspirations. By equipping students with advanced skills, the sustainability of the handloom craft will be ensured, granting global recognition to the handloom sector. This initiative embodies the fusion of simplicity, tradition, and technology, marking a significant step towards achieving ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Local MPs, MLAs, and senior officials were present at the inauguration event.
