Bringing weavers in touch with new technology.

KANNUR: New types of jacquard handloom that are easier to operate than the traditional ones, an improved type of pit-loom that gives uniform texture to fabric and a host of new ways of weaving and pre-loom processing are among the exhibits on display at an exhibition here primarily intended for weavers in the area.

The Appropriate Technology Exhibition that began here on Friday is the 68th such event to be organised by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC). The NHDC organises such exhibitions in different parts of the country in association with the Development Commissioner of Handloom in New Delhi. The exhibition was inaugurated by District Collector Ishita Roy here on Friday.

Dissemination of the latest technical innovations in handloom weaving and processing among the weaving community is the main objective of the exhibition being held at the Municipal High School here. Various organisations and manufacturers in the handloom sector are participating in the expo.

Aim
"Our aim is to introduce appropriate technology to weavers directly so that they will be able to diversify the existing production procedures for improving the quality and productivity and thereby, their earnings," said NHDC Regional Manager O. Bhaskaran.

Research organisations such as the Weavers Service Centres from Salem, Vijayawada and here, Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem, and the Institute of Handloom Textile Technology at Thottada here were participating in the exhibition. Private engineering organisations that had made new technologies for handloom processing, weaving and pre-loom processing are also exhibiting their products. Dyes and chemicals manufacturers participating in the exhibition introduced to the weavers new methods of processing as per the demands of domestic as well as export market, while cotton yarn manufacturers showed them latest innovations made on cotton yarn.

Increasing efficiency
The exhibition would allow the weavers to know new technologies and processing methods that would increase weaving efficiency and reduce costs of materials such as dyes and yarn, according to NHDC Senior Manager (Commercial) S. Malik.

"Our idea is to let weavers get in touch with actual manufacturers of new technologies and products," he added.

The exhibition would be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. till February 24, the organisers said.
Courtesy The Hindu