Latest news with #GI-certified


Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Taneira Champions Authenticity and Heritage with GI-tagged Offerings this National Handloom Day
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 7: As the country prepares to celebrate National Handloom Day, Taneira, a Tata product, reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the nation's unparalleled textile heritage with the introduction of GI tagging on their offerings. Among the early adopters in the industry, Taneira becomes one of the first few Indian saree brands to present GI-certified handloom sarees, in key clusters like Banarasis, Chanderi and Maheshwari to start with. This initiative strengthens the brand's commitment to the hands behind the loom, the geographies that have shaped their craft over generations, and the traditions woven into every piece of fabric. At its core, this step underscores Taneira's dedication to authenticity and ethical craftsmanship, aiming to create a deeper connection between consumers and the communities that keep India's rich weaving legacy alive. Authenticity has been at the heart of Taneira's ethos from the beginning. From the Handloom Mark to Silk and Zari certifications, each product reflects this commitment. The introduction of GI tagging further strengthens customer trust enhancing the brand's vision of bringing the best of India under one roof, backed by provenance and purpose. As part of this initiative, Taneira works closely with vendor partners and artisan clusters to facilitate GI certification, providing documentation support, legal guidance and on-ground enablement. In a design landscape increasingly shaped by mechanized production and diminishing recognition of the craftsperson, this effort reflects the brand's deep-rooted intent to preserve and progress the quiet elegance and enduring beauty of handwoven traditions. Taneira is championing a certified and transparent approach to handloom retail. The offerings carry a suite of trusted authenticity markers such as the Handloom Mark, Silk Mark, Zari Certification, Khadi Certificate and Pashmina Certification. With the addition of GI tagging, this suite of certifications now also verifies that each weave originates from its rightful region and the artisans who have upheld it across generations. On this milestone, Mr. Ambuj Narayan, CEO, Taneira, said, "On the occasion of National Handloom Day, we at Taneira are proud to take another meaningful step in our journey to safeguard India's weaving traditions and support our artisan communities. By partnering with craft clusters and offering certified weaves, including GI-tagged products, we aim to build a transparent supply chain that not only empowers artisans but also helps customers make informed, conscious choices. Through this initiative, we continue our endeavour to offer sarees that go beyond aesthetics, pieces that embody authenticity, carry the responsibility of heritage and reflect the cultural richness of India to the world at large." By actively partnering with weaving clusters, the brand seeks to preserve the traditional knowledge systems that define Indian textiles while ensuring that weaving communities receive rightful recognition. Owning a GI-tagged saree is to own a tangible piece of India's cultural geography, history and craftsmanship. These sarees are not just keepers of tradition, but by the very nature of how they are made, handloom sarees are breathable, durable and crafted to last many generations, while combining comfort with timeless elegance. Taneira is working towards expanding its portfolio of GI-tagged clusters, with weaves from close to 10 other regions currently in progress. With each new addition, the brand moves closer to its vision of making authenticated, region-specific handlooms accessible to the modern Indian woman, while uplifting the ecosystem at every step. This National Handloom Day, Taneira invites customers to discover the stories, soil and soul woven into every thread. Taneira, the women's ethnic wear brand from Titan, the TATA group company, offers differentiated design sarees, blouses, and ready-to-wear kurta sets made from pure and natural fabrics from over 100+ weaving clusters of India and brings the best of India under one roof. Instilled with TATA trust, Taneira aims to provide rooted yet progressive Indian women with diverse craftsmanship and exclusive crafts and designs. The products cater to everyday fashion and all occasions a woman would want to adorn herself for - festivals, weddings, and special occasions. In its endeavour to provide authentic weaves that are handcrafted with love, Taneira works with weaver communities all over India. It has also launched the 'Weavershala' initiative to modernize the weaving techniques and, at the same time, preserve traditional procedures of hand weaving for future generations. In addition, the brand has introduced frame looms and all essential workspace facilities for the weavers in collaboration with localized weaver-led organizations. Currently, there are 18 Weavershalas operational across the country. Launched in 2017, Taneira offers a unique and relaxed browsing experience with knowledgeable staff to provide quality service through a strong network of 80+ stores across 41 cities. The brand is present across all prominent metro hubs and is building to strengthen its presence across key Tier I and Tier II cities. Taneira is also available online with global delivery at


Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Counterfeit crisis: J&K government bans machine-made products from handicrafts showrooms
Counterfeit crisis: J&K government bans machine-made products from handicrafts showrooms SRINAGAR: Famed for its centuries-old handicraft tradition from intricate hand-knotted carpets to the world-renowned Pashmina shawls, first introduced to Europe by Queen Josephine of France, Kashmir's artisan legacy now faces a credibility crisis. Following complaints about Kashmiri handicrafts dealers misguiding tourists and selling them machine-made products by passing off the items as handmade, the J&K government Friday issued notices to all handicrafts dealers in Kashmir Valley, directing them to remove machine-made items from their showrooms within seven days or face blacklisting and deregistration for unfair trade practices. In the notice, the handicrafts department banned the sale and display of machine-made products in Kashmiri handicrafts stores, reminding dealers that as part of the registration process, they submit a sworn affidavit to the government, stating that they exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmiri handicrafts products at their business establishments. The notice said that during recent inspections, it was found that 'several dealers have violated the extant rules by displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as genuine' Kashmiri handicrafts, adding that such 'malpractices undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmiri handicrafts'. It further directed dealers to ensure that all relevant documents — including GI labelling certifications — are prominently displayed at their showroom for inspection and sale. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo On Thursday, J&K CM Omar Abdullah had taken serious cognisance of counterfeit, machine-made carpets being passed off as authentic Kashmiri hand-knotted products and directed action against showrooms and retail outlets engaged in the malpractice. Omar noted that such fake 'handicrafts' would damage the globally acclaimed brand of Kashmiri handmade carpets and adversely affect the artisan families depending on this craft for their livelihood. Earlier on Tuesday, the handicrafts department deregistered a retailer — The Kashmir Art Bazaar on Gulmarg Road — after finding it guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.5 lakh to an unsuspecting tourist, by passing it off as a hand-knotted, GI-certified Kashmiri handicraft. Officials found that the seller had used a fake QR label which closely resembled the official tag used by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, misleading the buyer into believing that the product was an original GI-certified item.


Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir Inc urges for combating counterfeit carpets
Members of Kashmir Industry have sought measures to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets after a craft dealer was blacklisted by the handicraft authorities for selling a machine-made carpet as handmade for ₹2.5 lakh in North Kashmir's Tangmarg Members of Kashmir Industry have sought measures to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets after a craft dealer was blacklisted by the handicraft authorities for selling a machine-made carpet as handmade for ₹ 2.5 lakh in North Kashmir's Tangmarg (Representational image) Prominent businessman and former chairperson of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Ashiq has called upon government and industry stakeholders to take immediate action to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets falsely marketed as genuine Kashmiri handicrafts. Sheikh Ashiq,who serves on the boards of both the Carpet Export Promotion Council and The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, accused certain traders and retailers of blending machine-made carpets—including imports from countries like Iran and Turkey—with traditional Kashmiri handwoven carpets in local showrooms. He stressed that this practice not only erodes the unique identity and standing of Kashmiri products globally but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of local artisans. 'A single handmade carpet represents the year-long dedication of an artisan, while a machine-made carpet can be produced en masse within a day. This imbalance is driving skilled weavers towards joblessness and severely threatening a craft that is an integral part of our heritage,ˮ he remarked. On Tuesday, directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir blacklisted and deregistered craft showroom - The Kashmir Art Bazaar, Tangmarg - after it was found guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for ₹2.55 lakh to a tourist by fraudulently passing it off as a hand-knotted Kashmiri GI-certified product, officials said. The seller used a fake QR label resembling the official label issued by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) to mislead the buyer into believing the carpet was a genuine GI-certified craft. Ghulam Nabi Dar, president of Meeras and a respected manufacturer, also voiced the escalating concerns among Kashmiri craftsmen. He highlighted not only the lack of support for senior artisans but also the urgent need to ensure machine-made and handmade carpets are sold separately to prevent misrepresentation of Kashmiri handicrafts.


India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Tailored to succeed National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad
NIFT's Hyderabad campus is where tradition meets innovation to shape a new generation of fashion designers who are globally attuned, yet deeply committed to India's regional crafts NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) , Hyderabad No. 4 (2025) up from No. 6 (2020) Since its inception in 1995, NIFT's Hyderabad campus has grown into a vital hub for fashion education and innovation in South India. From just two courses at launch, it now offers seven, serving over 1,000 full-time and 60 part-time students on its expansive nine-acre campus. 'NIFT's early establishment in Hyderabad placed it at the forefront of design education in a region with a rich handloom and craft tradition,' says director Dr Malini Divakala. That legacy continues through the institute's active role in supporting Geographical Indication (GI) status for nine traditional crafts across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Seminars, workshops and field projects are central to this outreach. The institute's academic ethos is marked by interdisciplinary learning that's locally rooted yet globally aware. Its faculty includes PhD-holders, published researchers and seasoned industry consultants. Landmark contributions include Pramanik, a comprehensive publication on 10 GI-certified handicrafts and handlooms from the Telugu states. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE The institute partners with organisations such as the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) to give students hands-on experience with rural artisans. A collaboration with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and Satavahana University is paving the way for a new programme in Design & Technology. Alumni describe their time at NIFT as transformative. 'It was a space of growth, where diverse perspectives, collaborative spirit and academic rigour come together seamlessly,' says Rakesh Ranjan from the class of 2007. For Tuhin Roy, four years his senior and now an entrepreneur, 'NIFT gave me more than just technical skills; it gave me a mindset, vision, a voice and a global perspective rooted in Indian sensibilities.'