Addressing the inaugural session of the Dhapewada Textile Udyog Producer Company Limited at Dhapewada in Kalmeshwar on Saturday, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the new project will provide employment opportunities for more than 5,000 women in the area. Gadkari also said that the initiative will soon prove game changers for the traditional handloom weaving and expand markets for locally produced sarees. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh; Member of Parliament Hema Malini; Maharashtra Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare; MLA Ashish Deshmukh; MLA Charansingh Thakur; MLA Sameer Meghe; Chairman of the company Dr Rajiv Potddar; Mayor Neeta Thakre; Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed; Sudhir Dive, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Gadkari said handlooms, once common in households of the Halba tribal community in the region, were gradually disappearing. “However, the new project will revive the traditional craft and create livelihood opportunities for many weavers.

 

The company started preparations for the project wayback in 2021 when it started training for the targeted women,” he added. The company has already engaged over 700 women members in nearly 100 handlooms. It produces tussar silk, silk-cotton and cotton sarees, which enjoy great demand across the country. The company has recently started similar project in Gadchiroli and Washim to increase production. Apart from this, another facility will soon come up in adjoining Khapa. Calling Dhapewada project as an important step for the sector, Giriraj Singh said the it has significant employment potential. He also expressed confidence that the weavers here could earn between Rs 29,000 and Rs 30,000 per month within a year.

 

Giriraj Singh also stressed the need to further improve production efficiency of the weavers through technology. In her speech, yesteryear diva Hema Malini appreciated the initiative and said the fashion show provided a wider platform for traditional sarees. On the occasion, Gadkari presented Dhapewada saree to Hema Malini. Savkare said the fashion show could help promote Dhapewada’s traditional products across the country and suggested providing sales facilities for traditional products at Nagpur airport. Dr Rajiv Potdar said the initiative aimed to provide traditional women weavers with employment opportunities and connect their skills with sustainable livelihoods. The inaugural session also witnessed a fashion show featuring Mumbai-based models showcasing traditional Karvatkathi tussar silk, silk-cotton and cotton sarees, highlighting their designs, colours and borders. Local women weavers also walked the ramp, drawing applause from the audience. The programme also featured a fashion show showcasing traditional sarees produced by the company. At the outset, Parthavi Paunikar rendered Ganesh Vandana. RJ Roopam and Asavari Deshpande-Galande conducted the proceedings, while Rajshree Bapat proposed the vote of thanks. Dignitaries who contributed to the construction of the facility were felicitated.