Pune: Rajya Sabha MP Prof. Dr. Medha Kulkarni inaugurated the 'My Pride, My Handloom' exhibition, organized by the Indian Silk Gallery at Harshal Hall on Karve Road.
The event highlights the Government of India's initiatives, including 'Local for Global,' aimed at boosting traditional and small businesses, especially in the handloom sector.
The exhibition is open to the public until September 5, offering a platform for artisans from across the country to showcase their craftsmanship.
Prof. Dr. Kulkarni underscored the importance of government schemes launched by the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She emphasized that these initiatives are designed to support weavers and handloom professionals, aligning with the broader 'Local for Global' vision that promotes indigenous products on a global scale.
The exhibition was attended by distinguished guests, including Srinivas Rao, Deputy Director (Retd) of the Central Silk Board, social media influencer Shefali Vaidya, former Mayor of Pune Rajlaxmi Bhosale, and other dignitaries.
The event aims to educate consumers about the diversity and quality of Indian silk and handloom products, featuring fabrics such as handloom cotton, silk, and linen from various regions of the country.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort with the Handloom Development Commissionerate, India Handloom, and Handloom Mark, bringing together over 60 handloom traders and weavers from Maharashtra and 15 other states.
Srinivas Rao highlighted the exhibition’s role in promoting the work of skilled artisans and protecting the integrity of authentic silk products.
He pointed out the challenges faced by consumers in distinguishing genuine silk from synthetic imitations and emphasized the exhibition’s focus on showcasing high-quality, handcrafted fabrics.
The exhibition is open free of charge from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until September 5, 2024.
The exhibition features a diverse array of boutique sarees and handloom products, including Chanderi, Paithani, Maheshwari, Banarasi, Kanchipuram, and more.
Stalls display a variety of sarees, dress materials, and other textiles from states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
