Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani, who is in Goa to commemorate the completion of three years of the Narendra Modi-led Union government, addressing a press conference stated that the central government would go all out to revive and support the Kunbi saree, and such a support would come for the revival of related skills and crafts, which have been identified to be languishing.

The Kunbi sarees were originally worn by the women belonging to the local tribes namely Kunbi and Gawda, who were basically involved in tough physical work, including cultivation of paddy fields. The red saree with traditional roots is considered very ethnic, and has a simple checkered look.

Stating that her ministry is keen on revival of the craft of weaving the Kunbi saree fabric, Irani said that the curtain raiser of the textile event, held earlier this year in New Delhi featured the Kunbi saree and they found people even from outside Goa who are making Kunbi sarees.

She have also met the art and culture minister and have appealed to that if there are people who want to revive the Kunbi saree it in Goa or outside Goa, then government of India would be more than happy to extend its support, especially for the revival of skills and crafts which is specific to Goa.

Speaking further, Irani said that if the weavers seek subsidy, the ministry would provide it to them for purchasing threads from the National Handloom Development Corporation. A weavers’ helpline working seven days a week has been set up, functional from 10 to 6 during the day, so that the weavers can call on this toll-free helpline and get their problems addressed. Furthermore, many of the weavers have been linked to the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana under the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank and income of such weavers has since gone up by 60 to 80 percent.

Also the possibility of attracting investments in Goa to set up technical textile production units is being explored, Union minister for textiles Smriti Irani said on Thursday said that she is hopeful about participants to an upcoming international textile conference and exhibition to be held in Gujarat, later this month, being encouraged to come and invest in Goa.

A technical textile is a textile product manufactured for non-aesthetic purposes. Currently, technical textile materials are most widely used in filter clothing, furniture, hygiene medicals and construction material.

Participants from over 60 countries, including those in the field of technical textiles would be attending the three-day event hosted by India, Irani mentioned, adding that she is personally engaging with the Chief Minister’s office as regards the particular investment.