The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry recently organized the 3rd Global Textiles Conclave (GTC) from March 15 – March 17, 2023, in Jaipur. The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Textiles, Piyush Goyal, through a video conference held in Jaipur on March 15, 2023.
Addressing the event, the Minister praised the efforts of the Confederation of the Indian Textile Industry (CITI) towards improving sustainability in the textile value chain. He congratulated CITI for organizing the 3rd edition of GTC, which was themed “Strategies for Balancing Sustainability and Profitability in Textile Value Chain.” The Minister also lauded the first edition of the India Textile and Apparel Fair (ITAF) and the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards 2023.
Goyal was pleased that the conclave was held on World Consumers’ Rights Day and highlighted how consumers are now more conscious of their environmental footprint and demanding transparency in the products they use. He also pointed out that the EU has already initiated Carbon Border Adjustment Tax reforms, which is an early sign of the need for adopting sustainability to overcome climate change challenges. The Minister stressed that the Government is doing its best to provide the necessary ecosystem for the textile industry to thrive and that the entire textile value chain can be relocated to one place, where plug-and-play model infrastructure will be made available. This will help boost the 5 F vision of Prime Minister Modi and make Indian textile products competitive in foreign markets.
Further, the Minister urged the industry players to collectively pledge towards mainstreaming sustainability and circularity in the textile sector. He emphasized the need for evolving businesses around the three P’s – People, Planet, and Profit, and collaborating with premier institutions like IIT’s, DRDO, NIFT for research and development to create sustainable supply chains. He also exhorted the industry to make zero defects zero effect their success mantra and focus on research, sustainable practices, compliance, and innovation, including the start-up ecosystem, to leverage technology and new ideas.
The India Textile and Apparel Fair (ITAF) was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Rajiv Arora, Chairman, Rajasthan Export Promotion Council Dr. SN Modani, Chairman of the Rajasthan Textile Mills Association T Rajkumar, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, Rakesh Mehra, Deputy Chairman of CITI.
Dr. SN Modani, Chairman of the Rajasthan Textile Mills Association, gave the opening speech, highlighting the importance of the textile and apparel industry in India’s economy. He also stated that the industry is notorious for climate-related risks and emphasized the need for sustainable manufacturing practices.
T Rajkumar, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), followed Dr. Modani’s speech and talked about the importance of Rajasthan in the T&A ecosystem. He announced the agenda for the three-day event, which included ITAF, GTC, and Sustainable Textile Awards 2023.
Rajiv Arora, Chairman of Rajasthan Export Promotion Council (REPC), gave the inaugural address on behalf of the Rajasthan Government. He invited industrystalwarts to invest in Rajasthan and promised a roadmap for boosting trade. He also announced plans for a Mega Textile Park and a robust air-freight system to facilitate trade in Rajasthan. Arora emphasized the importance of sustainability and green power to make businesses more sustainable.
The inaugural session of ITAF concluded with Rakesh Mehra, Deputy Chairman of CITI, welcoming all the attendees and reiterating the importance of sustainability and the environment in the textile and apparel industry.
The event was a great platform for industry leaders to come together and discuss the future of the textile and apparel industry in India. The focus on sustainability and the environment is a step in the right direction for the industry to grow while minimizing its impact on the environment.
The textile industry has long been criticized for its negative impact on the environment, with fast fashion being one of the primary culprits. However, the industry also plays a significant role in the economy, providing employment and contributing to the country’s GDP. In this context, finding a balance between sustainability and profitability has become a pressing issue.
CITI Textile Sustainability & CITI – BIRLA Awards 2023
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) launched the first Textile Sustainability Awards and a Fashion Show during the 3rd Global Textile Conclave held in Jaipur on March 16, 2023. The move is aimed at promoting sustainable practices in the textile industry and recognizing those who have made efforts towards sustainability, circularity, and traceability.
CITI has been promoting excellence in the textile value chain since 1993-94 through the CITI BIRLA Economic & Textile Research Foundation Awards.
However, this year, CITI expanded its areas of focus to include sustainability, circularity, and traceability. The objective is to encourage the textile and apparel industry to chart a more aggressive path with both planet and people at the center of all activities.
The first-ever CITI Textile Sustainability Awards were launched with texfash.com as the Knowledge Partner. The awards were judged by an eminent jury. The objective of the awards was to recognize efforts being made toward sustainability and to incentivize others to tread the same path. The broader objective was to trigger a cascading effect of innovation and pragmatic work.
The awards were given across three categories: Progress Towards Sustainability, Expanding Circularity, and CITI Reverse Resources Sustainability Awards for Recyclers 2023. M/s RSWM Ltd – LNJ Denim, M/s Pratibha Syntex Ltd, and M/s Usha Yarns Ltd respectively were adjudged the winners in the above categories.
The awards are expected to trigger more innovative and sustainable practices in the textile industry, reducing its impact on the environment. With initiatives like these, the textile industry can work towards creating a more sustainable future.
In addition to the award distribution ceremony, CITI also organized a Fashion Show with supporting partners – Apex University, Jaipur, Arch College of Design & Business, Jaipur, and Poddar International College, Jaipur. The theme of the Fashion Show was “Going Green.” The participating institutes displayed their collections on Cohesion, Remembering the Hues, and Eco Denim. Cohesion presented resort-wear in natural dyes in print and pattern, and use of sustainable khadi fabric. Remembering the Hues presented street-wear in unisex designs created on khadi with baggy silhouettes, kantha details, and pockets for utility. Eco Denim showcased how denim can be transformed into unique and fashionable items through upcycling.
The 3rd Global Textile Conclave (GTC) concluded on a successful note with the presence of Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, who graced the Valedictory Session as the Guest of Honour.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the Textile Industry in India’s global contributions, particularly in light of India’s presidency of the G20. She also emphasized the need for the industry to innovate and adopt new technologies to meet the emerging needs of the market.
The event was organized by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), which received appreciation from the Minister for its efforts towards promoting sustainability in the industry. The Chairman of CITI, T. Rajkumar, thanked the attendees and the Indian government for supporting the Textile Industry. He also congratulated the winners of the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards and urged the industry to adopt sustainable practices in the long run.
The Secretary General of CITI, Chandrima Chatterjee, announced the next edition of the GTC, which will be held in Ahmedabad in February 2024, in collaboration with Spinners Association Gujarat and other regional textile associations. The President of SAG, Ripple Patel, confirmed the participation of major textile associations from Gujarat to make it the mega textile event of 2024.
The Deputy Chairman of CITI, Rakesh Mehra, proposed a Vote of Thanks to conclude the successful event.