A textile project in Dhapewada, Nitin Gadkari’s native village near Nagpur, Maharashtra, aims to revive traditional handloom weaving and create employment opportunities for 5,000 women. The initiative focuses on supporting the local Halba Adivasi community while taking traditional Indian textiles to wider markets through exports and artificial intelligence.
The Dhapewada Textile Udyog Producer Company Limited building was inaugurated by veteran actor and BJP MP Hema Malini on Saturday. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh also attended the event.
Project Focuses on Women’s Employment
Gadkari said the initiative began in 2021 with training programmes for women. Although the project initially faced uncertainty about market demand, interest in its products grew as textile quality improved.
The project aims to provide employment to 5,000 women, helping them earn a livelihood while preserving the traditional weaving skills of the local community.
Traditional Sarees Made by Local Women
The Dhapewada textile unit produces tussar silk, silk-cotton and cotton sarees. The initiative combines traditional weaving techniques with efforts to improve product quality and expand market access.
A fashion show held during the inauguration showcased sarees from different regions, giving traditional textiles greater visibility. Hema Malini praised the initiative for helping bring these products to a wider audience.
Plans to Expand into Global Markets
The project aims to take its handloom products beyond local markets and reach international buyers through exports. It also plans to explore the use of artificial intelligence to support its expansion.
These efforts could help traditional weavers access new customers, increase demand for their products and create more sustainable employment opportunities.
More Textile Projects Planned in Vidarbha
The Dhapewada initiative is part of a wider effort to expand textile production across Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. Gadkari said similar projects had been launched in Gadchiroli and Washim districts, while another project is planned in Khapa in Nagpur district.
The expansion aims to strengthen the region’s textile sector and create more opportunities for traditional weaving communities.
Textile Sector Offers Employment Potential
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh highlighted the textile industry’s potential to generate jobs and support rural livelihoods. He said the Dhapewada project could become an important milestone for the sector.
Singh also expressed confidence that weaving families could potentially earn nearly ₹30,000 per month throughout the year through the initiative.
The project’s long-term success will depend on growing demand, expanding market access and ensuring that increased production translates into stable incomes for the women and families involved.
