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The Print
2 days ago
- Business
- The Print
From cotton to carbon fibre, Modi government is quietly rewriting India's textile script
This is not a revival. It is reinvention. To build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the foundations must reach beyond concrete and steel. They must be grounded in communities, livelihoods and cultural continuity. Nowhere is this vision more vividly realised than in the textile sector. As the second-largest employer with 4.6 crore people, it is more than an industry. It is a living ecosystem of skill, identity, and opportunity. Once seen as lagging, it has quietly transformed into a modern economic engine. Traditional weaves are entering global markets, while technical textiles are making inroads into aerospace and agriculture. And at the grassroots, every loom and spindle carries a deeper story of dignity, renewal, and quiet strength. This revolution was not televised. It was woven. While the world tracked digital breakthroughs and infrastructure booms, something quieter and more profound was unfolding on Bharat's looms. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, what was once dismissed as a legacy industry has been recast into a force of resilience, innovation and pride. From Bhagalpur's shimmering silk to Panipat's recycled threads, the transformation has been slow, steady and stunning. We often speak of textiles in the language of trade. Exports and imports, deficits and surpluses. But that narrow lens misses the scale of what's truly at work. The strength of Bharat's textile sector doesn't lie only in its foreign shipments. It is anchored in something far more enduring. A rising population, a domestic engine that refuses to slow down, and an evolving taste for both heritage and innovation. It is driven by 143 crore Indians seeking comfort, identity, and aspiration in what they wear, the homes they furnish, and the traditions they uphold. Also read: Why India's critical textile sector, employing 4.5 crore people, is facing challenges A decade of growth When our government assumed office in 2014, India's textile sector stood at a crossroads, rooted in legacy but adrift in a globalising competitiveness. Once marked by stagnation, the textile sector's scale and structure have been rewoven through targeted skilling under Samarth, bold new-age investments via the Mission for Cotton productivity, PLI scheme, and world-class infrastructure through PM MITRA Parks. Employment in Bharat's textile sector has risen sharply from 3 crore in 2014 to 4.6 crore today, marking a robust expansion in both opportunity and capacity to absorb skilled and unskilled labour. Market size has surged from $112 billion to $176 billion, propelled by growing domestic demand and enhanced production depth. Garment exports, long a cornerstone of the sector, have grown from $14 billion to $18 billion, reflecting consistent gains in value-added output. The long-pending India-UK FTA has finally been sealed under the leadership of PM Modi. It promises a decisive edge for Bharat's labour-intensive textile sector by opening the door for the nation to rise as a global hub for manufacturing and exports. But these are more than numbers. They signal a strategic reset. Moving from ad-hoc interventions to long-term vision, our government has broadened the industry's horizon beyond its cotton core to embrace man-made fibres, new-age fibres and technical textiles. The areas once overlooked are now poised for global competitiveness. The vision is no longer stitched to domestic threads alone. It is about integrating Bharat's textiles into global value chains with resilience, skill, and sustainability. This transformation is not by chance. It is the result of focused governance, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Cotton fields to carbon fibre Bharat's textile story today stretches far beyond traditional threads, spanning from cotton fields to carbon fibre, from handlooms to high-performance technical textiles. At the grassroots, the government has extended unprecedented support to natural fibres. With the new Mission for Cotton Productivity, India aims to increase cotton production from 5.70 to 7.70 MMT and productivity from 439 to 612 kg/hectare by 2030. At present, cotton holds 3.16 per cent and Kasturi Cotton holds just 1 per cent of the global cotton export market. Under the Mission for Cotton Productivity, our goal is to position it as 10 per cent of premium global cotton exports by 2030. Cotton procurement by the Cotton Corporation of India has risen 338 per cent in the last 11 years, while Minimum Support Prices for both medium and long staple cotton have more than doubled, delivering direct gains to farmers. Silk production is up by over 58 per cent. Even jute, once a declining segment, has seen renewed momentum. Jute exports have more than doubled from Rs 1,470 crore in 2014 to over Rs 3,000 crore in 2024, driven by a surge in demand for diversified jute products, whose exports have more than tripled over the decade. As Bharat strengthens its roots in natural fibres, it is also reaching decisively toward the future. The Production Linked Incentive Scheme, with Rs 10,683 crore in outlay and over 3 lakh jobs created, has helped position Bharat as a global producer of PPE kits. The technical textile market, once virtually non-existent in exports and modest in scale, has surged to an estimated $26 billion in 2025. From negligible exports, Bharat now records $3 billion in outbound trade. From Agrotech and Meditech, Bharat is making decisive strides across all twelve verticals of technical textiles by positioning itself as a rising global leader in this high-value, innovation-driven domain. Seven PM MITRA Parks are being developed as integrated plug and play, one stop solution textile hubs bringing together the entire value chain from fibre to fashion. Together, they are expected to draw Rs 70,000 crore in investment and generate more than 22 lakh jobs, with Rs 22,000 crore already committed. Apart from PM MITRA Parks, 50 textile parks have been developed under the Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks, attracting Rs 15,000 crore investment and creating 1.3 lakh jobs. From the cotton farmer to the carbon fibre innovator, the Modi government is quietly rewriting the script. From agriculture to aerospace, Bharat's textile transformation is stitching together the fabric of a truly Viksit Bharat. Also read: North Indian artisans carry a photo of this textile historian — she helped revive their craft Bharat's green textile economy Research and innovation were long the blind spots of Bharat's textile sector. Under previous governments, the industry remained tethered to conventional fibres, with little effort to modernise or lead in sustainability. The Modi government has reversed this inertia by placing R&D at the core of its textile strategy and backing the exploration of next-generation fibres that blend environmental responsibility with global competitiveness. Since 2020, under National Technical Textile Mission, 168 research projects worth Rs 509 crore have been approved, signalling a decisive shift from neglect to strategic investment. With a target to double the sector's value to $350 billion by 2030, sustainability is no longer an afterthought. This comes at a critical time. As fast fashion gains momentum, it is expected to grow into a $50-$60 billion market by 2030. With that, it brings a surge in textile waste driven by quick-changing trends. In response, Bharat has moved swiftly to build a circular and sustainable economy. Panipat has emerged as the world's largest hub for pre and post-consumer textile recycling, anchoring Bharat's leadership in sustainable manufacturing. Today, it is the world's second-largest producer of recycled fibre, converting over 40 billion plastic bottles annually. Over 90 per cent of PET bottles are recycled, among the highest rates globally. To further strengthen sustainable practices, six projects have been approved under the Integrated Processing Development Scheme to promote Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). This momentum is feeding into the broader bio economy, which contributes 4.25 per cent to the national GDP. It is valued at $165.7 billion and projected to nearly double in the coming years. A key pillar of this transformation is the rise of alternative fibres. Ramie, Milkweed, Flax, Sisal are natural materials that are both high-performance and climate-friendly. Milkweed, once considered agricultural weed, is now being refined into insulation-grade textile for high-end use. By fusing biotechnology with traditional wisdom and scaling research investments, the Modi government is reshaping Bharat's textile future. One that strengthens rural livelihoods, leads in sustainability, and aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat. From local to global Heritage in Bharat is no longer a memory preserved, it is a movement in motion. It has become a source of identity, empowerment, and economic renewal. Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in the handloom sector. On Republic Day, the launch of the e-Pehchaan card marked a quiet revolution. What began as a digital registry for 35 lakh weavers has since grown into a dynamic movement, bringing 35,000 new weavers into the fold. This is more than inclusion, it is revival. The loom is returning to homes, and a new generation is taking it up with pride. While in the handicrafts sector, over 30 lakh artisans have been registered under the Pehchaan card, ensuring formal identity and access to government support. Before 2014, support through the MUDRA scheme reached just 1.25 lakh weavers. Today, over 3 lakh have benefitted. A clear shift from tokenism to meaningful empowerment. The loom is no longer just a symbol of tradition. It is a tool of aspiration, enabling small businesses and opening pathways to global markets. Handicrafts have witnessed a similar resurgence. Exports have risen from Rs 29,000 crore in 2014 to over Rs 49,000 crore, as artisans step confidently onto the world stage. With 313 GI tags, two editions of Bharat Tex, and a growing global footprint, traditional crafts have been repositioned as drivers of economic value and cultural prestige. Today, a Banarasi weaver or a Kutch embroiderer is not just preserving a legacy; she is defining contemporary luxury and powering exports. At the centre of this transformation is Samarth, the government's flagship skilling programme launched in 2017. More than 4.3 lakh individuals, predominantly women, rural youth, and traditional artisans, have been trained to meet industry standards. Since 2014, over 12.55 lakh people have been trained under the Integrated Skill Development Scheme and Samarth. With new skills and focused support, they are not just surviving, they are leading. Platforms like ONDC and India Handmade have enabled them to bypass middlemen, access global markets, and build sustainable, self-owned enterprises. This growing pool of skilled talent is fuelling a new creative economy. One where design, innovation, and tradition come together to shape Bharat's global edge. With four new campuses since 2014, NIFT is at the centre of this design revolution by blending tradition with innovation at scale. Through home-grown tools like VisioNxt for trend forecasting and India Size for indigenous sizing, Bharat is no longer following the West. It is setting its own standard. The artisan is no longer on the margins. She is a creator, a change maker, an entrepreneur of a new Bharat. This is not a return to the past, it is the shaping of a future, one skilled hand at a time. Also read: Men get all the credit for bandhani. Zakiya Khatri is on a mission to change that Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 Bharat's textile journey is no longer about threads and tradition alone. It is about shaping the nation's future. Under our government, the sector has evolved from a legacy industry into a strategic force with creating jobs, boosting exports, upskilling youth, and placing sustainability at its core. It honours its roots while responding to global demands with precision and purpose. Today, Bharat's textile sector is not just growing, it is leading. It is green, it is global, and it is future-ready. As the world searches for models that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, India is not waiting for its turn. It is stepping forward to lead. The world is demanding. Bharat is delivering. And with every step, Modi Sarkar is walking beside its weavers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, turning vision into action, and tradition into triumph. Giriraj Singh is the union minister of textiles. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State-level committee to resolve problems of all varsities: Governor
Patna: Governor-cum-chancellor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday issued directions regarding the formation of a state-level committee consisting of the vice-chancellors (VCs) of Patna, Jai Prakash and Purnea universities to resolve the problems confronted by all state varsities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "All vice-chancellors can raise the problems of their respective universities and possible suggestions before the committee so that the issues can be settled amicably, he said while addressing a meeting of the VCs at Raj Bhawan. All the VCs were directed to submit the exact requirement of teachers in different subjects in their universities so that guest faculties can be appointed to ensure regular academic activities. Calling upon the VCs to discharge their duties as per their stature and dignity, the chancellor asked them to work hard to streamline the functioning of their respective universities. The governor said he regarded them next only to the prime minister and hence they must behave accordingly. Only the VCs and none else would be held accountable for the success or failure of the institutions of higher education under their jurisdiction, he said, adding that they should work collectively to create a healthy academic environment in the state. The universities were further directed to strictly adhere to the examination calendars at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, besides ensuring biometric attendance of teachers and students. The the VCs were asked to expel all unauthorised boarders of hostels with the help of district administration. The meeting also discussed the problems relating to the availability of data on Samarth portal. It was decided that all the universities would be provided with trained IT staff soon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now State education minister Sunil Kumar, education department's additional chief secretary S Siddharth, governor's principal secretary Robert L Chongthu, education adviser Baidyanath Yadav and higher education director N K Agrawal also attended the meeting.
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
C-DOT Launches 'Samarth' Incubation Program to Boost Telecom and ICT Startups
In the first phase of this initiative, 18 promising startups have been selected for "Cohort 1" through a competitive selection process. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous telecom R&D body under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has launched the 'Samarth' Program — a new incubation initiative aimed at supporting startups in the Telecom and ICT sectors. In the first phase of this initiative, 18 promising startups have been selected for "Cohort 1" through a competitive selection process. These startups include Turtleneck Systems, Matisoft Cyber Security Labs, Revino Solutions, Ajayan Consulting, Vital Carbon, Atibha Research, Alphappleton Innovations, Agriverse Innovations, Haranzel Technologies, and others. Under the program, these startups will receive a financial grant of up to INR 5 lakh each, fully furnished office space for six months at C-DOT campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru, and access to C-DOT's state-of-the-art lab facilities. They will also benefit from expert mentorship by C-DOT technologists and external industry experts. To formally kick off the initiative, C-DOT hosted a mentoring-cum-acceleration session for the selected startups. The goal of the Samarth program is to help early-stage companies move from the idea stage to successful commercial ventures by offering them resources, guidance, and funding support. The Samarth Incubation Program focuses on innovation in key technology areas such as telecommunications, 5G/6G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies. The program will be conducted in two cohorts per year, each lasting six months and supporting up to 18 startups — with a total capacity of 36 startups annually. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) have been selected as the implementation partners for the program. Delivered in a hybrid format, Samarth connects startups with investors, industry leaders, and government experts, enabling them to build sustainable and scalable businesses. The launch event was attended by dignitaries including Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, Arvind Kumar, DG of STPI, and Atul Dhawan, President of TiE Delhi-NCR. During the session, the first installment of the funding was distributed to the startups. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between C-DOT and STPI to further strengthen collaboration in training, mentorship, and innovation initiatives.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
C-DOT launches 'Samarth' program to foster startups; 18 startups selected in first cohort
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) on Monday launched the 'Samarth' Program to nurture sustainable and scalable business models. In its first phase, 18 startups were selected in cohort 1 through a competitive process. According to a release from the Ministry of Communications, the Samarth Program is a cutting-edge incubator program for startups in the telecom and ICT sector. Each selected startup receives a grant of up to Rs 5 lakh. Under the program, the startup are provided with financial grant, fully furnished office space and access to C-DOT's lab facilities at Delhi and Bengaluru campuses. 'To kickstart the program C-DOT hosted a mentoring-cum-acceleration session for the first cohort of its 'Samarth' incubation program at the C-DOT campus in New Delhi,' Ministry of Communications said in a statement. This program also offers holistic support to startups and innovators working in telecom applications, cybersecurity, 5G/6G technologies, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies. Additionally, 'Smarth Program' is designed in two cohorts of six months each, accommodating up to 18 startups per cohort--thus supporting a maximum of 36 startups under the initiative. In the first phase of this program 18 startups were selected, namely: Turtleneck Systems & Solutions Private Limited, Matisoft Cyber Security Labs Pvt. Ltd., Revino Solutions Private Limited, Ajayan Consulting Pvt Ltd, Vital Carbon Pvt. Ltd., Atibha Research and Development Pvt Ltd, Alphappleton Innovations Private Limited, Agriverse Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Haranzel Technologies Pvt Ltd, Threat Expert Cyber Solutions Pvt Ltd, Brahmi Systems (OPC) Pvt Ltd, Paravani Business Solutions Private Limited, Purvanchal Engineering Systems Private Limited, Aaizel International Technologies Pvt Ltd, Brenin Technologies Private Limited, Jumps Automation LLP, Master Education Pvt. Ltd., and Farsight Innovations Private Limited. This program was launched in the presence of Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, Arvind Kumar, DG of STPI, Atul Dhawan, President of TiE (Delhi-NCR Chapter), mentors, venture capitalists, representatives from TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Delhi-NCR, selected startups, and technical mentors from C-DOT. During the session, each selected startup was awarded the first tranche of funding amount. (ANI)
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
C-DOT provides grants to 18 startups under ‘Samarth' programme
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) on Monday said it has selected 18 startups in cohort 1 of its 'Samarth' programme. It is a cutting-edge incubation programme for startups in telecom and ICT sector. The initiative is aimed at nurturing sustainable and scalable business models by providing startups with financial grant, advanced resources and guidance for transition from ideation to commercialisation. These startups are provided financial grant, fully furnished office space and access to C-DOT's lab facilities at Delhi and Bengaluru campuses. The 'Samarth' programme offers holistic support to startups and innovators working in telecom applications, cybersecurity, 5G/6G technologies, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies. Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO C-DOT, and Arvind Kumar, DG of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), commended their collaborative effort in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem and encouraged continued engagement of startups in future initiatives. The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between C-DOT and STPI, outlining areas of potential collaboration including mentorship, training, and joint initiatives. The programme is structured in two cohorts of six months each, accommodating up to 18 startups per cohort — thus supporting a maximum of 36 startups under the initiative. STPI and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) have been selected as the implementation partner for the programme. Delivered in a hybrid format, 'Samarth' leverages state-of-the-art infrastructure, expert mentorship, and access to a strong network of investors and industry leaders to empower emerging entrepreneurs. Each selected startup under the programme receives a grant of up to Rs 5 lakh, a fully-furnished office space for six months at C-DOT campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru, access to C-DOT's lab facilities, and mentorship from C-DOT technologists and external experts. Progressing startups will also be eligible for potential collaboration and further financial grants under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP), according to the government.
