HYDERABAD, SEP 9 :  Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) by virtually launching classes for the 2024-25 academic period at Lalita Kalathoranam, here on Monday.

The institute would be the sixth in the country established aimed at providing advanced training in new methods and latest developments in the handloom field to enable the handloom industry to face the challenges from other sectors of the textile industry.

After the bifurcation of the state, the IIHT previously serving the region was relocated to Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh, leaving Telangana without an institution for handloom education.

The students of the Telangana region had to go to IIHT Venkatagiri in Andhra Pradesh or IIHT Bargah in Odisha to obtain technical expertise in handloom due to the non-availability of IIHT in Telangana.

Soon after the formation of the Congress government, the institute was set up in Telangana with state government funds, even though the central government did not cooperate and provide funds.

The Institute will offer a three-year diploma course in handloom and textile technology, providing 60 students every year.

After completion of 3-year training, the students are awarded diplomas in handloom and textile technology.

The diploma holders will fetch lucrative employment opportunities in government textile institutes as well as private textile apparel industries and the fashion sector in production, quality control, and marketing.

Various aspects of handloom technology are covered in the Institute Diploma Course, such as designing, dyeing, weaving, printing, and finishing of handloom fabrics.

The establishment of the institute in Telangana will help the state youth, mainly from the Padmashali community, to improve their skills and technology expertise and also attract other community members towards the weaving sector.

On the occasion, the CM also unveiled a logo for Chenetha Abhayastam,” a comprehensive weaver welfare and development initiative.

Under Nethannaku Cheyitha/Chenetha Podupu Padhakam, the CM also handed over Rs 290 crore cheque to Handloom Commissioner Sailaja and this would benefit 36,133 weavers under this scheme.
Telangana Textiles Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao was also present.(UNI)