New platform to come handy for weavers

Hyderabad: Microsoft India announced the launch of a new e-commerce platform for handloom weavers under its project, ‘ReWeave,’ as part of its philanthropies initiative. The e-commerce platform will help connect artisans to the buyers directly by enabling them to expand their customers and markets.

The new e-commerce website hosts signature collections created by the weaver communities and showcases traditional designs and products created from natural dyes. The e-marketplace will help weavers sell their products to a broad set of customers, supporting them to increase their income and earning a sustainable livelihood, while also reviving traditional forgotten Indian art.

Microsoft, in association with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), has also curated a special curriculum in ‘CAD and Color for Handloom Weaving’ to provide digital training in handloom design.

A special ceremony hosted at NIFT on Sunday, the first batch of 100 handloom weavers were awarded certificates for successful design course completion. Since its inception, special emphasis has been put on skill development using ICT and digital tools in critical aspects, such as up skilling, design, marketing, and entrepreneurship, besides creating sustainable livelihood options through Project Sangam, a Microsoft Azure-based community training platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary at Industries & IT in Telangana said, “Digital technology is changing the lives of Indians across every section of the society. Working with global technology leaders like Microsoft has enabled us to bring technology to the doorsteps of our large weaver communities in the remotest districts of Telangana. These initiatives like e-commerce marketplace and design training will enable weaver communities to sustain themselves and provide livelihood to artisans. This also is a practical solution to motivate younger generation of weavers to continue with their traditions and not divert into other professions.”

Speaking about the initiative, Anil Bhansali, managing director at Microsoft India (R&D), said, “With the introduction of our new e-commerce platform, digital empowerment centers and the new design curriculum, the weavers will be able to build on the rich handloom heritage of India and also reach out to a wider customer base. ReWeave ties very well into Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and every organization in the communities we work in by using Project Sangam- our Azure based technology solution and expertise to democratize oppo rtunities and bridge the digital divide.

Chitra Sood, director for business management at Microsoft India (R&D), said, “The Indian handloom industry is the second-largest employment provider for rural population in India with almost 43 lakh weavers. Through ReWeave, we have extended support to handloom weavers and their families to optimize their operations, engage better with their customers and help them transform their wares. These initial efforts have helped see a substantial rise in the annual income of the weavers in the three weaver clusters.”

Project ReWeave also aims to help the weavers with working capital support through non-profit organizations. Weavers are trained in the use of natural dyes to enable them to make newer and sustainable hand-woven products to meet the demands of the socially and environmentally aware consumer.