The Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, visited Guru Nanak Dev University today, emphasising the importance of collaboration and technical textiles in the Indian textile industry.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with faculty members of the Department of Apparel and Textile Technology (DATT). He highlighted the need for closer collaboration with other national institutes like NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) to offer students greater exposure to fashion design alongside their core textile studies.
The visit also brought good news for the department. Dr. Varinder Kaur, Head of DATT, announced the release of a grant of Rs 7.05 crore under the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM). This grant will be used to establish dedicated laboratories for technical textiles, a rapidly growing sector within the Indian textile industry.
Dr. Kaur also presented the department’s current academic offerings, including a four-year B.Tech in Textile Processing Technology and a five-year integrated Master’s program in Fashion Designing, both aligned with the New Education Policy.
The discussion extended beyond the immediate needs of DATT. Dr. Palwinder Singh, Dean Academic Affairs, and Sanjay Charak, Director of the Textile Commission in Amritsar, jointly proposed the establishment of a separate institute for textiles, with a specific focus on wool. This initiative, they argued, would significantly benefit the local textile industry in Amritsar, boosting business and economic activity.
Minister Margherita welcomed the proposal, expressing interest in exploring its feasibility with relevant officials. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting the growth and diversification of the Indian textile industry, with a focus on both education and industry development.
