Latest news with #DelhiKhadiandVillageIndustriesBoard
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Handloom Meets Climate Action: Delhi to Host 'Vastra Katha' on August 6
Delhi: Aiming to promote climate-conscious fashion and India's textile heritage, the Delhi government will organise a large-scale public event on August 6 to mark the National Handloom Day. The event, Vastra Katha, is being held by the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB) under the Industries Department. Announcing the event on Tuesday, Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the event will blend tradition, sustainability, and youth-led innovation through a curated exhibition, promoting Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handlooms and handmade or natural fabrics over fast fashion. A GI-tag is used to mark the authenticity and uniqueness for products that are native to specific regions. "Handloom is rooted in nature, environmentally friendly, and sustains rural livelihoods - especially for women. It's not just cultural heritage; it's climate action," Mr Sirsa said, adding, "The fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming." What to Expect at Vastra Katha The event will feature 24 curated stalls displaying rare, GI-certified textiles from over 20 states and union territories - including Assam's Muga silk, Telangana's Pochampally Ikat, Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram, Madhya Pradesh's Chanderi and Maheshwari, Kerala's Kasavu, and West Bengal's Kantha, among others. A fashion ramp walk themed on the Vedic civilisation will reimagine these textiles in contemporary silhouettes, with participation from both professional models and students. More than 150 students from top institutions - including LSR, Miranda House, Hindu College, Pearl Academy, and others - are expected to take part, curating exhibits and walking the ramp in handloom wear. Well-known designers like Rahul Mishra, Sanjay Garg, Surekha Jain, Rina Dhaka, and Pernia Qureshi will also participate in the event to mentor young artisans. A Turnaround Plan for DKVIB The event comes at a time when the Delhi Government has been trying to restructure the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board. "We are bringing in long-overdue reforms to make DKVIB sustainable by the end of this year and profitable by 2026. The government had already allocated Rs 50 crore for skilling and capacity-building in the handloom sector. We need platforms to showcase the work of our artisans, and Vastra Katha is one of them," Mr Sirsa said. He also credited both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for supporting the revival of India's indigenous textile traditions under the "Vocal for Local" campaign. The event aims to establish Vastra Katha as an annual flagship event of Delhi, turning DKVIB into a model board for artisan welfare and sustainable fashion.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
How do Indian textiles trace back to the Vedas? Delhi's upcoming fashion show will show you
The Delhi government is planning to host a fashion show with 'handloom' as its central theme, aimed at promoting the use of khadi, handspun and handwoven fabrics. Top fashion designers of the country and various states are likely to participate in this show, which will be held on August 6 — National Handloom Day. Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, 'The main objective of this is to promote khadi cloth and the importance of Indian tradition… The event will not only showcase the timeless elegance of traditional Indian textiles but also highlight their deep-rooted connection to Vedic culture.' By blending heritage with sustainability, the government hopes to inspire eco-conscious fashion choices and revive interest in indigenous craftsmanship, he said. 'The aim is to showcase how traditional textiles can be reimagined in trendy, sustainable styles that resonate with today's youth — blending heritage with modern fashion sensibilities… Many think that khadi is just cotton and thread. So, this Handloom Day, we want to tell people about the history of khadi, how it has been used since the Vedic period and how it is part of our Indian culture…,' said Sirsa. The minister said that for the fashion show, different states will also be invited to showcase their culture, traditional fabrics, clothes and attire. The Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board will organise the event. 'The textile industry is one of the top polluting industries in the country as chemicals and paints are used… But, khadi is eco-friendly, dissolvable, and does not cause pollution. Also, it has had a huge impact on our Indian tradition from ancient times to the Indus Civilisation and India's freedom movement… Through this event, a message will be sent to the public on how khadi clothes are eco-friendly and can be synced with the current fashion,' said a senior official. According to officials, at least 42 models will walk the ramp, wearing khadi and handwoven sarees and other attire. The event is likely to be attended by L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi ministers and central leaders, said officials.
