Dilip Guha, New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024, one of the largest-ever global textile events organised in the country, on 26th February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Darshana Jardosh was present on the occasion among others.
Organised by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, “Bharat Tex” is built on the twin pillars of trade and investment with an overarching focus on sustainability and resilient supply chains. NIFT proudly serves as the academic partner, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between industry and academia and celebrating the profound legacy and innovation of Indian textiles!
The marquee event “Bharat Tex 2024” is scheduled to be held from 26-29 February 2024 at the state-of-the-art, world-class iconic destinations Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan and Yashobhoomi at IICC, Dwarka, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed everyone to Bharat Tex 2024 and said that today’s occasion is special because the event is taking place in two of the largest exhibition centres in India namely Bharat Mandapam and Yasho Bhoomi. He acknowledged the association of more than 3000 exhibitors and traders from about 100 countries, and around 40,000 visitors as he underlined that Bharat Tex provides a platform to all of them.
Prime Minister said, the significance of an event like Bharat Tex 2024 only grows. The Prime Minister elaborated on the ambit in which the government is working to expand the role of the textiles sector in the journey of Viksit Bharat. “We are focussing on tradition, technology, talent and training”, he said. He pointed out that the emphasis is on updating traditional designs to the demands of the contemporary world.
Bharat Tex 2024 Expo is not just an event but stands as a testament to India’s commitment to becoming a global textile powerhouse. With innovation, collaboration, and the Make in India spirit at its core, this expo is the embodiment of our concept of the Five Fs – Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign which is binding all elements of the value chain to a single whole. , making products not just for India but for the entire world.
To help the MSME sector, the Prime Minister mentioned the change in the definition of MSME to ensure continued benefits even after growth in size. He also talked about direct sales, exhibitions and online portals that have reduced the distance between the artisans and the market.
The Prime Minister said the government is focussing on skill as well as scale with the number of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) institutes in the country increasing to 19. He said that local weavers and artisans are also being connected to NIFTs with the organization of special training programs about new technology. The Prime Minister also mentioned the Samarth Scheme where more than 2.5 lakh people have received capacity building and skill development training so far. He informed that the majority of women have participated in this scheme where around 1.75 lakh people have already found placement in the industry.
He asked for the inclusion of chemical segments in the value chain and the need to find natural chemical providers. He also talked about his effort to break Khadi out of its traditional image with the National leader’s dress materials and turn it into a fashion statement infusing confidence among the youth. He emphasized that the steps taken in the last 10 years have made Khadi a strong medium of development and jobs.
He also asked for more research in modern areas of textiles and to regain the reputation of speciality textiles. Giving the example of India’s diamond industry which now manufactures all equipment related to the industry indigenously, the Prime Minister urged the textile sector to carry out research in the domain of textile equipment manufacturing and also incentivize those with new ideas and results. He also asked the stakeholders to explore new areas like textiles used in the medical field. He asked them to lead and not follow the global fashion trend.
Talking about India’s growing profile as a cotton, jute and silk producer, PM Modi said that the government is supporting cotton farmers and is buying cotton from them. He said Kasturi Cotton, launched by the government, will be a big step in creating India’s brand value globally. The Prime Minister mentioned measures for the Jute and silk sector also. He also talked of new sectors like technical textiles and informed about the National Technical Textiles Mission and scope for the startups in the area.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined that the Government is readily available to function as a catalyst and work towards fulfilling the dreams of the people, as he urged the industries to come forward with a new vision that caters to the world’s needs and diversifies their markets.
This India’s premier global textile event, witnessed a grand confluence of iconic handloom and handicraft traditions from Indian states which are set to captivate the spotlight as they present a shared narrative of artistic excellence, featuring handloom craftsmanship, and unveiling distinctive textile innovations.
Uttar Pradesh & Maharashtra are coming on board as the ‘Partner State’ of Bharat Tex 2024. Gujarat, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh joined as the ‘Supporting Partner States’. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Assam set up state pavilions at the premier global textile event.
From Madhya Pradesh’s iconic Batik printing, hand-block printing, Chanderi and Maheshwari silk, Gujarat’s Bandhani, Patola silk, hand-painting, Uttar Pradesh’s Chikankari, Zari Zardozi, Maharashtra’s Paithani saree, Warli Art, Mashru & Himroo to Andhra Pradesh’s much admired Jute, hand-drawn Kalamkari, lavish handwoven Dharmavaram sarees and fine Mangalagiri cotton weaves, Bharat Tex 2024 will boast globally acclaimed states’ handicraft & handloom traditions and state’s progressive initiatives in terms of policies, innovative technologies and initiatives like the upcoming textiles parks
The four-day event will feature over 65 knowledge sessions with more than 100 global panellists discussing various issues facing relevant to the sector. It will also have dedicated pavilions on sustainability and circularity, an ‘Indi Haat’, fashion presentations on diverse themes such as Indian Textiles Heritage, sustainability, and global designs, as well as interactive fabric testing zones and product demonstrations.
With more than 50 announcements and MoUs expected to be signed during the event, it is envisaged to provide further impetus to investment and trade in the textile sector and help push up exports. It will be another key step to further the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. Bharat Tex 2024 is a consolidated and unique platform to position and showcase India’s entire textile value chain and highlight its strengths in fashion, traditional crafts and sustainability initiatives.
“Earth Song” -An Exposition of Sustainable Fashion and “Fashion Luxe”- A Story of Elegance are two fashion shows that will be presented by FDCI – The Fashion Design Council of India during the expo. A specially curated pavilion in Bharat Tex narrates the story of Indian textiles as an unbroken continuum – from the past to the present to the future.
The event has received an overwhelming response from leading global textile companies including Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Vero Moda, Coats, Toray, H&M, Gap, Target, Levis, and Kohl’s, having confirmed their presence. In addition, Business delegates from key textile hubs including the US, UK, Australia, Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands and Multilateral Organizations and Global textile associations are also participating in the event.
Visitors can Experience the pinnacle of style and creativity as top designers showcase their latest collections at the largest global textile event in India and get an exclusive glimpse into the world of timeless elegance and impeccable design crafted by our skilled artisans.