Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich traditional weaving sector is set for a significant revitalization, driven by the active participation of women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs). This renewed momentum comes on the heels of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today between the Department of Mission Shakti and the Weavers’ Service Centre, operating under the Development Commissioner Handlooms, Government of India.
The signing ceremony, held at the Mission Shakti Bhawan Auditorium, was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida, who highlighted the state government’s unwavering commitment to making Odisha’s SHG members economically self-reliant. “Our mothers are making Odisha proud across the nation,” stated Deputy Chief Minister Smt.Parida.
She referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent commendation of Odisha’s Santali weaving art from Mayurbhanj and the women’s Sankirtan groups of Keonjhar during his “Mann Ki Baat” address, underscoring the national recognition of Odisha’s women and their contributions.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the state’s ambitious goal of transforming ‘Lakhpati Didis’ – women earning over ₹1 lakh annually – into ‘Crorepati Didis’ under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. Odisha already leads the nation with over 16 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’, a testament to pioneering initiatives like the Subhadra Shakti Melas, Subhadra Shakti Cafés, and the “One District One Product” cluster model.
The newly inked MoU is poised to be a game-changer for women weavers. It will provide comprehensive support including:
- Skill Development: Enhancing the technical expertise of women weavers.
- Modern Design Inputs: Introducing contemporary designs to meet evolving market demands in apparel and home décor.
- Market Access: Facilitating connections to both national and international markets.
- Design Mentoring and Training: Equipping SHGs with the knowledge to adapt to new trends.
- Prototype Development: Support from the Weavers’ Service Centre for creating new product samples.
- Expert Guidance: Professional advice on aesthetics, finishing, and enterprise readiness.
- Digital Marketing Support: Professional photography and digital cataloging to enhance online and offline visibility.
Smt. Shalini Pandit, Secretary, Mission Shakti, emphasized the initiative’s crucial role in supporting thousands of women who rely on weaving, tailoring, embroidery, and home-based production for their livelihoods. “This partnership will provide an enabling ecosystem for design, training, and market-ready innovations for SHG members,” she affirmed.
Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, Director Mission Shakti, articulated the program’s aim to foster sustainable weaving enterprises led by women and improve access to value-added textile production. Shri Bikash Kumar, Deputy Director of the Weavers’ Service Centre, acknowledged Odisha’s nationally recognized weaving talents, stating that this collaboration will bring new dimensions to the state’s creativity and invigorate India’s handloom landscape.
This transformative partnership is expected to convert traditional weaving skills into structured enterprises, effectively linking the creative potential of SHGs with expert mentorship. The goal is to build sustainable livelihoods, enhance market competitiveness, and foster long-term value creation for women across Odisha’s handloom sector.