The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, DEC 22, 2023
The World Trade Centre (WTC) at Bhubaneswar in association with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) and the Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts of the Odisha Government, launched the “Utkal Mahotsav-2023 – from Farm to Fashion” programme at KIIT Institute of Fashion Technology, here on Friday.
Inaugurating the two-day event, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das said, “This program will go a long way in promoting and empowering the weaving community. While it is necessary to provide them with necessary training, bank loans, raw materials as well as marketing support, such programs will inspire them.” “It is our responsibility to spread the art and culture of the state and popularize it in the country and abroad,’’ she added.
“Through Utkal Mahotsav, we want to connect the weavers and artisans of Odisha with people and organisations that can take them to the national and international markets. Reaching out to weavers internationally is a great educational process. Efforts have been made to fulfil this through this program,” said Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, WTC Bhubaneswar.
More than 60 weavers from the state are participating in the two-day exhibition.
“We are very happy that this exhibition has been organised. As many as 50 stalls have been set up at the Campus-3 ground of KIIT University in which a large number of weavers and artisans have participated and exhibited their products. A large number of people are coming to visit the stalls, making the weavers and artisans are very excited,’’ said Gipsita Nayak, Deputy Director, KIIT School of Fashion Technology.
Among the dignitaries, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Minati Behera, Chairman of the Odisha Unit of the Indian Textiles Association Prof. BB Jena, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Regional Director (Eastern Region) Dr. Subrata Biswal, KIIT University Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, WTC Bhubaneswar Women Forum Adviser Dr. Rina Routray and EDII Project Director Bishnu Panda were present.
