What the handloom industry needs to sustain post-Covid | Economic Times

The pandemic has evidently forced mankind to not only adapt to new habits of interacting with people but have also made organisations restructure their business operations. The fear of the unknown is unfortunately the lived reality of the handloom industry in India. Handloom is the second largest employment provider in the country, after agriculture. The textile industry which had slowed down considerably in the initial stages of the lockdown has started showing signs of recovery. The innovation of handloom in India including the aesthetic variety and artwork, especially with ornate rugs and carpets, is slowly becoming popular, with their export capability being well established.This period has also seen innovation across brands to reach out to customers. Most brands started their own online stores and witnessed an increase in demand for products with people staying more at home. The increased demand not only uplifted the economy, but it also generated employment opportunities for individuals, especially women, who are being trained by the brands and are now professionals in the field. Although the industry is recovering, it still needs support. The following are some of the ways that have and will continue paving the way for sustaining the Handloom industry in a post-Covid scenario:Promote handmade products: We should come forward and buy products that are made by our artisans and weavers. This will not only increase the demand but will also help us in sustaining Indian designs and generating more employment opportunities for them. Reduce the tax burden on the industry: The Government can take steps where it not only facilitates some taxes but also supports the industry as a whole. Considering the effect of the pandemic and how it is still recovering, it should take some steps to curb the burden on industry as well as the individual – artisan and weavers.Digital promotions: With digitisation, it has become vital for every industry to adopt digital strategies in their business. They should strategise in a manner that the outcome is beneficial for both the business growth as well as for the individual growth. Social media and digital campaigns should promote handloom designing; educate individuals on craft making, and so on, to develop the interest towards the craft as well as the industry. 85121986Sustainable and eco-friendly practices should be adopted: The pandemic has made the world grow more conscious of sustainable living and considerably lowering damage to the environment. Sustainable products like rugs and carpets amongst others are more in demand now and consumers are now making a conscious sustainable choice. Hence, the industry must be buoyed up by encouraging and assisting practices and investments in chemicals and dyes which are environment-friendly and sustainable so that they can cater to the needs of the customer along with fulfilling their social responsibility. Antimicrobial textiles: Antimicrobial textiles are preferred these days, owing to the shift towards a healthy, hygienic lifestyle approach with the ongoing pandemic. Such textiles will continue to play an important part as hygiene and safety are of prime importance now. Therefore, we can encourage the industry towards the creation of such in-demand textiles, keeping in mind the continuous rise- The author is the CEO of OBEETEE.