The National workshop involved the major stake-holders such as representatives from the Fashion Industry, weavers, artisans, top designers as well as the academia.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Workshop in the NIFT campus in the presence of the Union Petroleum Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan and State Minister, Snehangini Chhuria. The Union Minister for Textiles, Santosh Gangwar along with the Secretary in the Department of Textiles, Govt of India, Dr Sanjay Panda also graced the occasion.
Both Mr. Gangwar and Dr Panda emphasized that Textile can propel Odisha, given the type of human resources it naturally has in this sector. They along with Pradhan, also requested Odisha Government to avail the opportunity of change in format by the Ministery of Textiles in granting Textile parks. Following the new norms that have been laid, the State Govts can now apply for the Textile Park on their own and the Union Ministry of Textiles will strongly support the wish of the State. The Park will be set up at 40% financial assistance of the Centre.
NIFT Bhubaneswar also came in for huge praise from Gangwar who called it one of the best NIFT’s in the country, if not ‘the best’. Director NIFT Bhubaneswar, Mr. P.K. Gera was also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister released the NIFT souvenir on hand-loom and fashion, on the occasion.
The young and talented students of NIFT, drawn from the 15 campuses across the country, converged in Bhubaneswar and participated in competitions organized in various categories. They produced diverse collections which were put at display. The best entries were awarded.