Nagpur: Silk producers of Bhandara in Maharashtra are excited after their work found a mention in none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, September 29.
In the 114th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on September 29, the Prime Minister talked about the age-old business of tussar silk production in Bhandara and even urged people to promote the business by purchasing clothes made from tussar this festival season.
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“In Bhandara district of Maharashtra, there is an old textile tradition of Bhandara Tussar Silk Handloom. Tussar silk is known for its colour, design and strength. In some areas of Bhandara, more than 50 self-help groups are working on preserving the tradition. Women have a huge participation in it. This silk is fast becoming popular and empowering local communities… and that is the spirit of Make in India,” the Prime Minister said.
“Bhandara’s tussar silk sarees are witnessing a renewed popularity. Known for good quality, the tussar thread is a shining example of the country’s age old artistry. Members of over 50 self help groups, majority of them being women, are engaged in the activity of tussar silk production and later, creating beautiful cloth, sarees etc from the silk,” informed Vivek Bondre, Project Director of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).
Bondre said that while mulberry silk is produced elsewhere, tussar is the USP of Bhandara. Tussar is known for its better shine and strength, he added. Giving a boost to the trade, PM Modi has now talked about the silk sarees and urged people to be vocal for local. Number of women and local people are becoming empowered through the business and with the PM pitching for it in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, they hoped that business would get bigger.
