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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Warp, weft, wonder: Artistry of Nagaraju
ANANTAPUR: In the heart of Dharmavaram in Sri Sathya Sai district, known for its handloom legacy, Jujare Nagaraju has emerged as a visionary artisan, blending heritage with innovation. From a modest weaver to a National Award-winning designer, Nagaraju's journey reflects perseverance, creativity, and dedication to preserving traditional craft. Nagaraju began his career crafting sarees, shawls, and wall hangings in a time when design resources were scarce. Despite the challenges, he developed intricate patterns with remarkable skill. A turning point came two decades ago during a visit to Lepakshi, where the temple's exquisite stone carvings inspired him to weave similar mot i f s into handloom textiles. In 2002, he created his first Lepakshi-inspired saree, earning praise from peers and officials. Encouraged by the recognition, he pursued formal training at the Central Silk Board in Bengaluru and the Weavers' Service Centre in Hyderabad. This sharpened his technical expertise and fuelled a series of innovative creations. In 2004, he designed a saree featuring conch and chakra motifs for the climax of Jr NTR's film Samba. Commissioned by local fans, the saree gained wide attention and won him a State Award in 2006.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Minister Seethakka Inaugurates Silk Exhibition, Urges GST Cut for Handloom Weavers
Minister Seethakka inaugurated the Silk Exhibition by Indian Silk Gallery at Sathya Sai Nigamagam, advocating for lower GST on handloom products and encouraging people to wear handlooms to support weavers. With over 70 stalls showcasing beautiful sarees and silk fabrics from across India, the exhibition connects consumers with skilled artisans. Students from Growing Roots School also attended an educational session led by Central Silk Board experts, learning about silkworms and silk production. Organizers emphasized the importance of buying certified silk products and supporting India's rich handloom heritage.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Sericulture scientists told to draw roadmap to produce 54,000 tonnes of raw silk per year by 2030
Central Silk Board (CSB) Member Secretary P. Sivakumar on Tuesday urged sericulture scientists in the country to formulate a clear roadmap to meet the ambitious target of producing 54,000 metric tonnes of raw silk by 2030, and position India as a global leader in silk production. Speaking after inaugurating the two-day Host Plant Breeders Meet 2025 organised by CSB at the Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (CSRTI) in Mysuru on Tuesday, Mr. Sivakumar called upon the researchers to develop innovative plant hybrids to meet the production goals. Raw silk production in India, which is second only to China, had increased steadily from 31,906 metric tonnes in 2017-18 to 38,913 metric tonnes in 2023-24. The Host Plant Breeders Meet 2025, focused on the theme 'Innovative Host Plant Breeding Strategies: A Step Towards Doubling Silk Production', is aimed at bringing together leading breeders and scientists engaged in mulberry and vanya host plant improvement programmes from across India. Vanya silk comprises non-mulberry varieties, viz. Tassar, Muga and Eri. In his address, Mr. Sivakumar also noted the growing application of mulberry and vanya plants in diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and seri tourism. Emphasising the strategic importance of research in host plant breeding, particularly in line with India's vision for achieving self-reliance in quality silk production, Mr. Sivakumar highlighted the critical need for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding mulberry and vanya plant varieties to ensure sustainable growth in sericulture and to double the country's silk production. He also spoke about a proposal to establish a National Sericulture Museum in Mysuru in the near future. Former Director of CSRTI, Mysuru, S.B. Dandin, who delivered the key note address at the event, reflected on the significant progress achieved in host plant breeding over the years, and urged the scientific community to proactively address emerging challenges such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and the nutritional enhancement of host plants. He emphasised the need to leverage advanced technologies, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology, to bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level application, thereby enabling large-scale commercialisation and impact. Director (Technical) of CSB, S. Manthira Moorthy, who delivered a special address at the meet, focused on the need to develop new host plant hybrids with superior leaf quality, and higher leaf yield. He urged scientists to formulate a strategic roadmap for the next 5 to 10 years, focusing on innovation and sustainability. He also underlined the critical role of quality leaf in producing high-quality cocoons, and in enhancing the overall yield of raw silk. The two-day meet, which began with a welcome address by CSRTI Director Gandhi Doss, is also attended by representatives from the Department of Sericulture of southern states, scientists, and experts in the field of plant breeding from mulberry and vanya sectors. A staetment from CSRTI said the Host Plant (mulberry and vanya) Breeders' Meet 2025 will feature a series of technical sessions, discussions, and presentations over the two days, focussing on recent advancements, breeding strategies, varietal development, and the roadmap for future R&D interventions in the host plant sector for both mulberry and vanya silks.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
17 candidates from TNAU's Forest College and Research Institute selected for Scientist-B post by Central Silk Board
The Central Silk Board has selected 15 Sericulture and two Forestry post-graduates of Forest College and Research Institute for the post of Scientist - B (Precocoon). The CSB had conducted the recruitment process to fill 122 existing vacancies in the post at various research institutes across India. After clearing the preliminary written test conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, the candidates of FCRI applied for the post of Scientist-B in CSB. The 24 shortlisted candidates were called for the verification of original certificates and other documents in the ratio of 1:4. The personal interview was conducted earlier this month at CSB, Bangalore, and the results were declared two days ago, a TNAU press release said. The selected candidates reflected that hands-on exposures imparted in mulberry cultivation, pests and disease management, disinfection, chawki maintenance, silkworm rearing, mounting and value addition during the practical classes and in-depth knowledge, as part of the course work, stood them in good stead to clear the written examination and face the personal interview with confidence. In 2023, six post-graduates of Sericulture were selected for the post of Scientist-B and are now working across India. Also, a number of Sericulture graduates are working as Inspector of Sericulture (IS) and Assistant Inspector of Sericulture (AIS) in the State Sericulture Department, as Probationary officer (PO) and Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) in nationalised banks. Besides performing well in UPSC, TNPSC, SSC, RRB and Banking exams, graduates of (Hons) Sericulture also transform into entrepreneurs by establishing sapling production unit, Chawki rearing centre, commercial cocoon production unit, and cocoon craft production unit, the press release said.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Karnataka, a leading silk producer in India now aims to export cocoons to South East Asian countries
BENGALURU: Karnataka is the leader in production of silk sarees and other silk materials in the country, but it will now take the lead in exporting silk cocoons, which are consumed in North-Eastern states and South East Asian countries as they are a rich source of protein. India has seen the opportunity early and found that the demand for silk cocoons is rising from countries where tourism is their primary source of income, like Singapore and other South East Asian countries. 'India is one of the largest silk producers, and Karnataka is the leader. Silk cocoons from here can be supplied to other countries where the demand is rising. We are working on keeping the cocoons alive after reeling the silk so that they can be exported. Already, the dead pupa, after reeling, is dried, powdered and exported. It is also fed to dogs as a protein supplement,' Member Secretary and CEO, Central Silk Board (CSB), Sivakumar Periyasamy, said. R&D is on to keep the pupa alive and documents are being prepared on the modalities for silk extraction from live pupa. In the North-East, eri silk pupa is consumed and in cities like Dimapur in Nagaland, it is sold at Rs 700-1,200 a kg. Consumption of silk cocoons is legal in other countries, and is a traditional practice in North-East India. The demand for mulberry silk cocoons is rising and since Karnataka leads in mulberry silk material production, it is the best place to source cocoon from.
