Colors Of Rajasthan - FICCI's Handloom Exhibition, Hyderabad

Union Minister of state Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi inaugurates “Colours of Rajasthan” - a Rajasthani Handloom Exhibition

· Exhibition will be on from 20th to 24th February, at Kalinga Exhibition Hall, Banjara Hills.

Hyderabad, February 20th, 2013: FICCI Rajasthan State Council and Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation Ltd., are jointly organizing “Colours of Rajasthan” exhibition-cum-Buyer Seller Meet from February 20th to 24th, 2013 at Kalinga Exhibition hall on Road No 12, Banjara Hills. The Exhibition was formally inaugurated by Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt of India on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi said FICCI Rajasthan State Council and Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation Ltd., are organizing an unique and first of its kind Rajasthani Handloom exhibition in Hyderabad. They have brought the weavers themselves to the exhibition. The exhibition is facilitating a direct seller and buyer meeting, with no mediator being involved. This benefits both the buyer and seller, the seller gets the right price for his produce and the buyer benefits by getting at a reasonable price. Most exhibitors here are Muslim women, who are skillful weavers and the exhibition has been organized to encourage them, she added.

Commenting on a question from Media about Union Minister of state Jyotiaditya Scindia’s statement on additional Gas allocation for Andhra Pradesh not being possible, Smt. Lakshmi said, the demand for power from farmers and consumers with the onset of summer will be high and our Chief Minister and we all will work for safeguarding our state’s interest. We are dependent on gas as we don’t have hydropower option. Regarding Aadhar card being made compulsory for LPG gas, she said linking Aaadhar to LPG gas is a good move and will benefit the ultimate consumer. By this linking no one will lose. She clarified that without Aadhar too one can still book gas and benefit from the subsidy, it has been made clear to the Oil companies that they have to still entertain LPG consumers who provide a valid identity proof and the Companies have acceded to it. There might be delay in getting subsidy in such cases, but they will not be deprived of it. However she advised consumers to fetch Aadhar cards for themselves as soon as possible.

Ms. Neelima Jauhari, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, said we have brought highly skillful master weavers to this exhibition in Hyderabad and the best designs are on display at affordable price.

About the Exhibition

30 plus artisans from Rajasthan are exhibiting their unique products. Products displayed ranging from Kota Doria, Zari Sarees, Zari Dupattas, Dyed Yawn Dress Material, Self Designed Dress Materials, Cotton Khes, Designer Bed Covers and Sanganeri and Barmari prints are the most unique features of the exhibition.

Rajasthani handicraft and handloom industry occupies an important place amongst industries in the country. It produces a wide range of products based on the country’s diversified culture, traditions and heritage. Low capital investment, cheap and skilled labor, diversified product portfolio, and flexible production are some of the important features of the handicraft industry. However, lack of Infrastructure, technological support, awareness of international and new trends and poor promotional campaigns are a few drawbacks of the industry which need to be overcome.

FICCI is an apex chamber of commerce, has initiated an “Exhibition cum BUYER SELLER MEET” a process thru B2B to encourage artisans to expand in the domestic market and to improve their efficiency for export. More than 100 plus Wholesale Buyers are expected each-day to interact directly with Artisans.

Ms. Neelima Jauhari, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan and Chairperson RHDC; Ms. Sangita Reddy, Chairperson, FICCI AP State Council; Ms. Rekha Reddy, Chairperson, FICCI Ladies Organization; Mr. Gyan Prakash, Director, FICCI Rajasthan State Council and Mr. Akhilesh Mahurkar, Director, FICCI AP State Council were present on the occasion.

The focus of the exhibition will also be to encourage and demonstrate the artifacts and products developed by small and medium industry, self-help groups, and languishing arts craftsmen’s who will chisel them out, at the same time they will directly interact with their prospective buyers from exclusive retail chain stores, corporate houses, interior designers, hotel industry, trade bodies, Exporters etc.

The objective of this EXHIBITION CUM BUYER SELLER MEET will be to provide new opportunities to the artisans, creating and developing new marketing channels and creating innovative products as well finding a niche market and a better product placement.

The magic fabric of Kota Doria is made up of cotton and silk yarn in different combinations in warp and weft, which are woven in such a fashion that they produce square check patterns in the fabric. These checks are popularly known as “KHAT” and these are made so skillfully that the fabric becomes transparent, which is a unique characteristic of this wonder hand woven fabric. As we all are aware that Kota Doria is an established product of Rajasthan & is recognized as the product woven by more than 10,000 weavers in its heydays and patronized by the Kota Royal Family. At present there are 2500 looms supporting weaver families in the entire Hadauti region spanning three districts of Kota, Bundi and Baran. The artisans in order to achieve common goals and benefits in production and marketing have formed two prominent associations with the support of Government of Rajasthan. Today the Kota Doria craft tradition is one of the hot favorites among the fashion conscious youth and the demand is rapidly growing in domestic as well as international market.

In order to provide a direct platform to Buyers with artisans / Weavers and to give better market exposure to these Kota Doria artisans & to provide new opportunities to the artisans, creating and developing new marketing channels for Kota Doria, creating innovative products as well finding a niche market with better product placement this Exhibition Cum Buyer Seller Meet, is being organized by FICCI under the aegis of Rajasthan handloom Development Corporation (RHDC) supported by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi.

This unique Buyer Seller Meet being first of its kind in Hyderabad will house best of the artisans and weavers from Rajasthan with their vast range of products like Dupatta, Sarees, Kurtas, Tops and many more. The Kota Doria product range is under constant innovation by reputed designers both from Indian & International, who have chosen Kota Doria for their collection. By way of value addition techniques such as Embroidery, Tie-Dye, Batik, Block Printing etc.