“We have to transform India’s economy. On one hand manufacturing sector is to be enhanced, while on the other side, we have to make sure it directly benefits the youth. They must get jobs so that lives of poorest of the poor stands transformed and they come out of the poverty line. Enhancing their purchasing power would increase the number of manufacturers, manufacturing growth, employment opportunities and expand the market.” –Narendra Modi
The cloth industry in Varanasi was badly hit due to lack of basic facilities. It was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts that the weaver community in the region have a reason to rejoice. The Centre has allotted a corpus of Rs. 347 crore for revamping the cloth and handicraft industries in Varanasi.
The impact of Centre’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ is clearly visible in Varanasi. A dedicated textile facilitation centre has been developed worth Rs. 305 crores for technical advancement and other facilities for the handicraft and weaver industries. Also, common facilitation centres have been set up to further aid the weavers.
A branch of National Institute of Fashion Technology and a regional silk technological research station have come up. Alongside, with a corpus of Rs. 31 crore, a scheme has been initiated for overall development of handicraft industry.
The cloth industry offers maximum opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Employment opportunities are set to grow in the region under Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make In India’ initiative.