New Delhi, July 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Sunday that traditional Indian craftsmanship can play a crucial role in economic development through innovation and global partnerships.
On the social media platform ‘X’, PM Modi shared an article written by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The article highlighted the ‘One District, One Product’ initiative, which aids local crafts in gaining market access, creating sustainable livelihoods, preserving heritage, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out that ‘Vastrakala’, based in Chennai, exemplifies how collaboration with countries like France can connect Indian artisans to global markets.
She mentioned that during a recent investors’ meeting in Paris, the Indian Ambassador to France referred to ‘Vastrakala’. This partnership between India and France uniquely combines France’s haute couture with India’s centuries-old embroidery tradition.
After returning to India, the Finance Minister visited the ‘Vastrakala’ workshop located in Gudapakkam, Thiruvallur district, near Chennai.
While having lunch with a team of artisans, she learned that ‘Vastrakala’ intentionally relocated its first Chennai workshop to Gudapakkam. This move aims to provide high-value employment opportunities to villagers who have preserved these traditional skills for generations. It seems as if time has turned back; typically, youth migrate from villages to cities for jobs, but here, a company has chosen to leave the city and settle in a village.
The Finance Minister noted that ‘Vastrakala’ is situated in a drought-affected area between Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, and Thiruvallur. She remarked, “In ancient times, when there was no rain, farming would halt. When plowing stopped, farmers would pick up needles and threads to create beautiful embroidery on cotton and silk fabrics. Through their creativity, villagers managed to cope with the hardships of drought. This art demands extraordinary patience, precision, and discipline, qualities abundant among farmers in arid regions.”
Leave a Comment