NE NEWS SERVICE
SURENDRANAGAR, JAN 4
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has opened its first Silk processing plant in Gujarat to boost production of signature Patola Saree, while creating livelihoods for women.
Patola, the trademark Saree of Gujarat, is priced very high and is out of reach of common women. The raw material is purchased from Karnataka or West Bengal, where silk
processing units are situated. This increases the cost of the fabric manifolds.
In a major initiative, the KVIC unveiled its first Silk Processing Plant at Surendranagar, which would help cut down the cost of production of silk yarn drastically and increase the sale and availability of raw material for Gujarati Patola Sarees locally.
The plant has been set up by a khadi institution at a cost of Rs 75 lakh in which KVIC has contributed Rs 60 lakh. The unit has employed 90 local women, 70 of which belong to the Muslim community.
Chairman of KVIC VK Saxena said, “Promoting the Indian Crafts and Culture has been the top most priority of KVIC since its inception. There could have been no better way to start the new year, than by inaugurating a one of a kind plant, where cocoons will be brought from Karnataka and West Bengal and Silk yarn will be processed in house, thus reducing the cost of production and giving a major boost to the sale of famous Gujarati Patola Sarees — one of the most eminent symbol of Indian Craftsmanship.
Khadi is the spirit of Indianness, the fabric of transformation. This is the transformation that Khadi seeks, and it is just the beginning.”
Surendranagar district is a backward district in Gujarat where KVIC has invested Rs 60 Lakhs to build the Silk Processing Plant, in order to generate livelihood and boost sales of Patola Sarees by making silk more ready available at a low cost, for the Patola Saree manufacturers in the nearby area.
Traditionally, every region in India has had its own unique weave for the Silk Saree. It is quite notable that Patola Silk Saree is amongst the top five silk weaves which are desired in every Indian Saree Lover’s wardrobe.