Bhubaneswar, July 29 (UNI) In a significant step toward empowering women weavers, the Odisha government, through Mission Shakti, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Weavers’ Service Centre (WSC), Government of India.
The initiative aims to enhance skill development, introduce modern design inputs, and provide access to both national and international markets for women-led weaving enterprises.
Speaking on the occasion, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the MoU will support design mentoring, training, and market linkages for weaving-based Self Help Groups (SHGs), helping them adapt to evolving trends in fashion and home décor.
“This collaboration will help build a sustainable, women-led textile ecosystem and strengthen the textile value chain across Odisha,” she said.
Parida further highlighted that the state’s traditional weaving sector is witnessing a resurgence, driven by the active participation of women-led SHGs.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to making SHG members economically self-reliant and referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent mention of Odisha’s Santali weaving art from Mayurbhanj and the Sankirtan groups of Keonjhar in his “Mann Ki Baat” radio address.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Mission Shakti, Shalini Pandit, underscored the initiative’s importance, stating that it will benefit thousands of women already engaged in weaving, tailoring, embroidery, and home-based production.
“This partnership will create an enabling ecosystem for design innovation, skill development, and market preparedness among SHG members,” Pandit said.
Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, Director of the department, noted that the programme aims to foster sustainable women-led weaving enterprises while expanding access to value-added textile production.
Deputy Director of the Weavers’ Service Centre, Bikash Kumar, emphasised that Odisha’s weaving talent has already gained national recognition.
He said the collaboration will infuse new dimensions into the state’s creative sector and contribute significantly to India’s handloom landscape.
As part of the initiative, unique multi-colour paper designs tailored to emerging trends in apparel and home décor will be developed.
The Weavers’ Service Centre will also support prototype development and provide expert guidance on design aesthetics, product finishing, and enterprise readiness.
Additionally, SHG-made products will receive professional photography and digital cataloguing support to boost their visibility in both online and offline markets.
This partnership is expected to play a transformative role in converting traditional weaving skills into structured enterprises.
It aims to link SHGs’ creative potential with expert mentorship to build sustainable livelihoods, improve market competitiveness, and foster long-term value creation.
