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Fashion Value Chain
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Scope of Research and Innovation in Handloom Textiles
Dr. V. Ramesh Babu, Professor and Head, Department of Textile Technology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore the scope of Research and Innovation in Handloom Textiles by studying the History of Handloom, Handloom Industry in India, SWOT of Handloom Industry, Handloom clusters in India, Types of Handlooms and Innovation, Handloom startups, Schemes for handlooms and Boosting the handloom sector in India. History of Handloom Figure 1: History of Handlooms Figure 1 shows India has a 5000-year-old Traditional Handloom background, and even in the Vedic period, there is are lot of evidence of the usage of fabrics. In the 2nd Century BC, the literature shows the production of silk and cotton cultivation and fabrics made from it. The East India Company invaded India in the 17th Century for the purchase of Muslin and Jute fabrics for their socking due to rapid industrialisation in Europe. At present, India has an 80% share in the world handloom, which shows its potential and lots of scope to explore the research and innovations in the field of Handloom. Handloom Industry in India Figure 2: Handloom Industry in India Figure 2 shows the features of the Handloom Industry in India, which has a long traditional background spread across the nation of richness and diversity in nature. A recent statistic shows that around 4.3 million people are involved in the Handloom Industry, and apart from agriculture, the Textile Industry is the largest employment provider. A variety of Designs produced in the various clusters of India with its unique Finesse. Present Handloom Industry focusing on the Fusion of old traditional design and manufacturing skills and talents into New ideas and Technological developments. With the above capabilities, the Indian Handloom Industry has a potential of USD 350 million export business. SWOT of Handloom Industry Strength 1/4 th of the world's cotton cultivation happens in India. Handloom products cannot be produced or replicated by Power looms. Skilled/Semi-Skilled and Trainee workforces are deployed in the Handloom sector. Product diversification through clusters. No demand for energy. The cost of products is affordable. Geographical Identifications/IPR and Copyrights of Designs. Weakness Inadequate and a lack of qualitative raw material sources. Lack of Marketing Strategies Poor quality Lack of Innovation in the processes. Political systems Lack of a Code of ethics and Mode of operations. Lack of Integrated Information Technology systems. Opportunities Domestic and Export Markets Government Polices NABARD Fund Banks for Raw material and Designs. Supporting Body WSC, IIHT, NHDC, Textile committee and HEPC etc., Cluster Development Program Welfare schemes for weavers New Textile policy and Handloom Reservation ACT Threats Migration of workers Imitation of products Import of goods Less handloom cloth consumption per person Impact of Liberalization and Globalization. Poor level of cohesion among clusters Handloom Clusters in India Figure 3 shows the Indian Handloom clusters and almost every state has unique products manufactured with tradition and their own skills and design talents. Few are stated below such as Kancheepuram sarees in Tamil Nadu, Balrampuram sarees in Kerala, Ilkal sarees in Karnataka, Pochampalli sarees in Andhra, Ikat sarees in Odisha, Kosa silks in Chhattisgarh, Tussar silk in Jharkand, Jamdani sarees in West Bengal, Pachra sarees in Tirupura, Puanchei in Mizoram, Phanek in Manipura, Aptani in Arunachal Pradesh, Naga Shawls id Nagaland, Muga Silks in Assam, Bhagalpur silk is Bihar, Banarsi sarees in Uttar Pradesh, Lohi shawls in Uttarakand, Kullu Shawls in Himachal Pradesh, Pashmina Shawls in Jammu and Kashmir, Bedsheets in Haryana, Kota sarees in Rajasthan, Chanderi sarees in Madhya Pradesh and Kutch Shawls in Gujarat. Figure 3: Handloom Clusters Types of Handlooms and Innovation Primitive or Vertical Loom Pit Loom: A) Throw Shuttle B) Fly Shuttle. Frame Loom: A) Throw Shuttle B) Fly Shuttle. Chittaranjan Loom Hattersley Loom Innovative Looms Innovation in Handlooms Extra- Weft Insertion for Handloom Design Conventionally, the task of the insertion of weft threads needed to make a variety of designs is done manually by tying knots, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. The thread is also wasted in connecting one motif to another. Deepak's innovative device makes designs in one-third of the time required by the traditional way of making designs. (Fig.4) The device consists of three components: base frame, magnet bearing shaft and a specially designed bobbin. These components can be fitted to any handloom Jacquard machine. The attachment facilitates the Jacquard loom to perform automatic selection and lifting of warp threads for design making. Figure 4: Extra-Weft Insertion for Handloom Design Bi-Fab Handloom Traditionally, the same big loom is used to produce both narrow and wide fabrics. Sadly, not much has been done for reducing the drudgery and fatigue of the weaver by using appropriate technology in the sector and whatever new has been done in this regard, has not become popular among the weavers due to various reasons. Many a times, the new technology developed for handloom is not user-friendly and hence not accepted by the weaver. (Fig.5) Figure 5. Bi-Fab Hand Loom Bi-Fab Loom simultaneously weaves narrow width fabrics like stoles, napkins, and mats leading to efficient and increased production capacity from the handloom weaver. It helps reduce the laborious nature of work and improve labour productivity by doubling production capacity. The edges achieved are neat with complete selvedges on both sides. Handloom Startups The new trend in startups in handlooms sector is most promising in reforming the handloom sector and most of the young entrepreneur coming to the traditional handloom startups which creating the new markets and demands for the handloom products all over the world. The following are the features of handloom startups. Unique Design-Not replicate by Power Loom Low Capital intensive Minimal Power Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Flexible and Versatile Skill-Transform-Generations Make in India Skill India E-Commerce Social-Media Integrating Clusters Consolidation of Handloom ECO System Ethicus Brand Karagiri Inde' Loom Schemes for Handloom Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme Comprehensive Handlooms Development Scheme Revival, Reform and Restructuring Package Yarn Supply Scheme North Eastern Region Textile Promotion Scheme Cluster Development Project in NER Technological Upgradation of Handlooms in NER Market Promotion of Textiles and Handloom Products in NER Handlooms Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana Health Insurance Scheme Enforcement Wing Central assistance for Implementation of the Handlooms (Reservation of the Articles for Production) Act 1985 Boosting the Handloom Sector Digitalization of the Handloom Industry in India MoUs with e-commerce retailers Patenting designs/varieties Infrastructure and Investment Design improvements Free export/import trade – opportunity Enhancement of Value Conclusion The paper conclude that the Indian Handloom Industry has lots of scope in research and innovation and the extra weft insertion device, Bi-Fab looms are sort of developments in Technological aspects of handloom whereas the Startups in the Handlooms such as Ethicus Brand, Karagiri and Inde' Loom etc., set a new trend in the Indian Handloom Industry to reform and re innovate the present industry to boost the Indian handloom sector. References
Leaders
04-06-2025
- Health
- Leaders
Ministry of Interior Unveils AI-Driven Drone at Hajj Media Hub Exhibition
During its participation in the second annual Hajj Media Hub—hosted by the Ministry of Media from June 1 to 4, 2025—the Ministry of Interior, through its Development Program, showcased an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle at its pavilion at the Makkah Chamber Center for Exhibitions and Events. This AI-powered drone is designed to enhance surveillance, monitoring, and crowd management efforts. Equipped with cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, it can perform real-time scene analysis, detect unusual activity, and instantly alert the command-and-control center. These capabilities support rapid response and proactive safety measures, contributing to the protection and well-being of pilgrims. Related Topics: Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor New Chapter Unfolded: Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Intensive Care Unit Short link : Post Views: 8 Related Stories
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL coaches, execs on what makes new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan so effective: ‘No bulls—'
The NHL coaching fraternity is small, and until Mike Sullivan parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins two weeks ago, he and Jon Cooper were the league's longest-tenured coaches. So the two had shared drinks and gatherings over the years. But they're not close buddies and have never sat down to talk about the strategy or teaching or details of NHL coaching. Cooper's assessment of how Sullivan has risen to the upper echelon of NHL coaches is based largely on watching Sullivan's Penguins teams play. Advertisement That's enough for the Tampa Bay Lightning coach to see why the New York Rangers wasted no time in signing Sullivan to the richest coaching deal in the league earlier this month. 'The sign of a good coach, to me, is when the star players are playing super hard,' Cooper told The Athletic. 'Sully got his star players in Pittsburgh to play hard, even years into his time there. For me, that's a great sign. The other sign is: Does the team look disorganized at all? Do they look like they've gotten the message from the coach on how to play? And his teams have always looked like they knew what was going on. 'Those things sound easy to do, but they're not.' Sullivan is a coaching lifer, though not in the same way as many current veteran coaches. Lindy Ruff, Peter Laviolette, Peter DeBoer, John Tortorella and Paul Maurice — the five active coaches with the most wins — have bounced around and coached multiple NHL teams in shorter stints, aside from Ruff's long first run with the Buffalo Sabres. Sullivan got his first shot at running an NHL bench in 2003, lasting two seasons with the Boston Bruins. He didn't get another shot as a head coach for a decade, then won back-to-back Stanley Cups with a star-laden Penguins team to kick off a 10-year stay. In between the head-coach gigs, through stints with the Lightning, Rangers and Vancouver Canucks as Tortorella's top assistant and then a brief stay in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre, Sullivan honed his X's and O's craft and his ability to connect with his players, from the best leader in hockey in Sidney Crosby down to the 17-year-olds he ran drills for in Europe ahead of the Four Nations tournament for the U-17 level. That Four Nations event was in 2006-07, after Sullivan was let go by the Bruins. John Hynes was coaching the U-17 team at the U.S. National Team Development Program and invited Sullivan to work the kids out, talk to them and stay in the game. Sullivan and Hynes are both Boston University grads — as is Rangers general manager Chris Drury — but they never crossed paths in college, only in the coaching world. Advertisement Their relationship has grown strong over the years, and Hynes joined Sullivan's staff when he became head coach of Team USA for this year's 4 Nations Face-Off and next year's Olympics, with both now long-established NHL coaches. 'He loves the tactical part, the X's and O's stuff, the trends in the game,' Hynes said. 'He's very open to change and understanding the newer styles of play. But like with most coaches, there are some foundational things that he believes are always effective. I'm sure you're going to hear him say it at some point (in New York) or hear one of the players say it: 'If we do these things we have to do in our game, there will be times when you can let your instincts take over.' 'He and I have talked a lot about that aspect of coaching. You commit to these parts of our game and then, when the game calls for more creativity, you have the freedom to do that.' Jim Rutherford didn't hire Sullivan directly as the Penguins' AHL coach before the 2015-16 season. That was then-Pittsburgh assistant GM Jason Botterill. But Rutherford, then the Penguins' GM, certainly knew what he had in Sullivan when the Penguins started training camp with all their coaches, NHL and AHL, running drills. 'When Jason hired him, all we wanted was a guy who was capable of moving up to the big club at some point,' Rutherford said. 'When I saw Sully in training camp, I knew we definitely had that. The Penguins got off to a slow start that year (under Mike Johnston), and Wilkes-Barre was (19-5-0) with Sully — a really good start. So it was an easy call.' One move Sullivan made when he took the Penguins job stood out to Rutherford in hindsight. 'He brought three or four younger guys who'd been with him in the AHL as call-ups,' Rutherford said. 'He was familiar with them and he knew they could help us. And those guys — Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Tommy Kuhnhackl and eventually Matt Murray — they helped us win a Stanley Cup. Advertisement 'Sully knows the value of every point, and he wants things done right away. But he also put those young players in position to succeed — not just that year but for years to come.' And the most impressive aspect of Sullivan's coaching style, for Rutherford, had very little to do with what went on during games. It was how he handled interactions with players — 'or anybody, really,' Rutherford said — who had a different viewpoint. ''Meet me halfway' was what he'd say a lot,' Rutherford said. ''We can agree to disagree on the principle, but for the good of the team, try it my way.' And no one ever came out of those meetings and said, 'Gee, I didn't get anything out of that.' Mike could have been a sports psychologist.' Sullivan does have a gruff demeanor coupled with the heavy Massachusetts accent that might make him seem not too different from Laviolette, his Rangers predecessor. But there's more to it than that. 'He's got a lot of 'no bulls—' to him,' said Cooper, who also coached against Sullivan at the 4 Nations as Canada's coach. 'He gets to the point, gets it across and moves on. I think that's served him well. But there's another side to him — the 'Sit down, have a couple beers' side. There's a fun Sully in there too.' Hynes said the preparation Sullivan did for the 4 Nations and is doing for the Olympics has been something to see. Hynes, Tortorella and another former Rangers coach, David Quinn — who played at BU with Sullivan, a relationship that goes back nearly 40 years — are Sullivan's assistants for Team USA and were all working as head or assistant coaches this past season as well. Hynes, the Minnesota Wild coach, said Team USA (and Wild) GM Bill Guerin and Sullivan were straight to the point — starting with naming the 'First Six' players to the team in June. 'Not much wasted time,' Hynes said. 'When we did meet, those Zooms were short and to the point. Him and Billy really thought through the players we named early to the roster. It was really no stone unturned. 'Who are the candidates? What's the message sent with naming each of the six guys?' It was good communication, not just with the six that were named but others in the mix, and that really helped us hit the ground running as a team.' Advertisement Sullivan commanded respect up and down the Penguins organization despite his eventual exit. When Rutherford abruptly resigned seven games into the 2020-21 season and Ron Hextall and Brian Burke came in, Sullivan's standing with Pittsburgh ownership didn't waver. Nor did it as the team fell into lottery status in recent years. You win two Cups, and the coach-GM relationship will be strong, for sure, but Rutherford said Sullivan understood the relationship well. And in Drury, Sullivan has a relationship that goes back 25-plus years to lean on. 'When we'd call up a player or make a trade, with Sully it was always, 'We'll make it work,'' Rutherford said. 'It was never, 'This guy can't do anything for us,' 'I heard this guy isn't good.' It's a game of mistakes, and there's always constructive criticism or disagreements at times, but he never once complained about a new player. He knew we were both trying to put the best team on the ice we could.' Hynes has spent plenty of time talking coaching with Sullivan — systems, teaching, motivation and all the other things that go into trying to get players to work together toward an ultimate goal. 'Our jobs are basically to enforce accountability but in a way where there's still good relationships — a good environment,' Hynes said. 'He and I have had many, many talks about how to do that the best way. Our jobs as coaches are to maximize players' potential, and that can get uncomfortable. It's a constant topic. 'With Sully, he's really the whole package. He's well-prepared. He's open to information. He wants opinions but does a good job cutting the fat off the bone and dialing in on what needs to be done. The teaching part, the motivational part, how he commands a room — I've been fortunate enough to know him a long time, see him in action, and it's impressive to watch.'
Iraqi News
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Co-authored with UNDP, the judiciary launches the second anti-corruption report
Baghdad - INA The United Nations Development Program launched the session of the program to follow up on trials for major corruption cases, the second report for the year 2023-2024, which is the project to combat corruption and enhance commercial arbitration today, Saturday, in Baghdad. It is a program implemented in partnership between the United Nations Development Program and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and funded by the European Union. In this regard, the head of the Public Prosecution Office, Najm Abdullah, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "This report, which is an extension of the first similar report that was previously launched earlier in 2024, summarizes the progress achieved in the field of trial procedures in corruption cases, in addition to shedding light on the challenges that still exist, and it represents a very important step, as it reflects the pivotal role played by the Iraqi judiciary in pursuing and trying those involved in corruption cases." He added that "the cooperation with the Development Program comes in the context of developing the agreement with the United Nations to combat corruption by providing consultations and recommendations and developing plans and programs to support the judiciary in the field of combating corruption crimes," noting that "the report, with its statistics and data, shed light on some aspects that had a valuable impact on the success of the program in its first year, so that this success would extend to the second year by adopting transparency in following up on the progress of trials and evaluating judicial performance professionally and objectively." He explained that "the report showed the extent of close cooperation between the Supreme Judicial Council and the United Nations Program, which reflects the commitment of both parties to achieving the common goal of combating corruption and improving the performance of courts in accordance with international standards." In the same context, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, Auke Lootsma, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Iraq has succeeded in combating corruption cases and conducting investigations that led to the discovery of those responsible for their occurrence." He added that "the United Nations Mission in Iraq recorded a significant increase in the number of investigations and convictions on corruption charges, which indicates the seriousness of the government in combating corruption and holding those responsible for committing violations accountable." He added that "the United Nations Development Program launched a project funded by the European Union, which aims to train Iraqi investigators to uncover and deal with corruption operations." He explained that "the project aims to train investigators in the Integrity Commission and judicial bodies affiliated with the Supreme Judicial Council and build their capacities to uncover corruption hotspots and track down those involved in them."
