Bhubaneswar, July 29: In a landmark move to revive Odisha’s rich textile heritage, the Department of Mission Shakti on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Weavers’ Service Centre under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The initiative, announced at the Mission Shakti Bhawan Auditorium, aims to empower women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) by transforming traditional weaving skills into structured, market-ready enterprises.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who presided over the event, emphasized the government’s commitment to economic self-reliance for SHG members.

Parida cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent praise for Odisha’s Santali weaving and Sankirtan traditions in his “Mann Ki Baat” address, stating, “Our mothers are making Odisha proud across the nation. We are determined to turn Lakhpati Didis into Crorepati Didis.”

The MoU will facilitate design mentoring, skill development, and market linkage for weaving-based SHGs. It will also support prototype creation, aesthetic guidance, and professional cataloging to boost visibility in both online and offline markets. The Weavers’ Service Centre will assist in developing multi-colour paper designs tailored to emerging trends in fashion and home décor.

Shalini Pandit, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Mission Shakti, highlighted that thousands of women already engaged in weaving, tailoring, and embroidery will benefit from this initiative. Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, Director of the Department, noted that the program will foster sustainable women-led textile ecosystems across Odisha.

Bikash Kumar, Deputy Director of the Weavers’ Service Centre, lauded Odisha’s weaving talent and reaffirmed its national significance. The collaboration is expected to enhance competitiveness, generate long-term value, and position Odisha as a leader in women-led textile innovation.

Odisha currently leads the nation in women-led development, with over 16 lakh Lakhpati Didis created under Mission Shakti. Initiatives like Subhadra Shakti Melas, Cafés, and ODOP clusters continue to strengthen the state’s inclusive growth model.

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