On Thursday, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu called for ‘upskilling’ the textile and apparel workers. Launching the Virtual Platform of the Apparel Products of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), the Vice President said, “Unless the average size of the apparel firm grows, adopts latest technologies and possesses skilled manpower, we cannot manufacture quality items and export at competitive prices. Only this way, we can exploit the full employment and economic potential of the industry.”
Traditionally, after agriculture, the Indian textile industry is the only industry that has been able to provide large scale employment to both skilled and unskilled laborers. According to Press Information Bureau’s press release, the vice president urges the textile entrepreneurs to diversify their manufacturing portfolio to suit the changing global demands and tap newer markets.
While noting that the said industry provides direct employment to about 45 million people, the Vice President called it, “it is a part of India’s rich and glorious heritage.” He further added in his speech, “In the ancient times, Indian fabrics were world-famous for their superior quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Indian fabric was most coveted in those times. Possessing it was a sign of prosperity and pride.”
Calling out to the players in the industry, the Vice President said, “This sector can play a major role in tapping the potential of our dividend as lakhs of youth will be joining the job market every year… In order to tap the apparels sector’s full potential, we need to recognize and address the challenges faced by the sector.”
Smriti Irani, Minister of Textiles and Dr. A Sakthivel, Chairman-AEPC, garment exporters and industry leaders, were among the dignitaries who participated in the virtual event.
