The Odisha government’s Mission Shakti department formalized a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Weavers’ Service Centre on Tuesday, aimed at empowering women weavers through enhanced skill development, modern design mentoring, and robust market linkages. This strategic partnership, signed between Mission Shakti and the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, seeks to bolster women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) by equipping them to meet evolving fashion and home décor trends, thereby strengthening Odisha’s textile value chain.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida emphasized that the initiative will revitalize Odisha’s traditional weaving sector by leveraging SHG participation to create a sustainable, women-led textile ecosystem. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit highlighted the MoU’s role in supporting thousands of women engaged in weaving, tailoring, embroidery, and home-based production, providing them with an enabling environment for innovation and market-ready products. Commissioner Handlooms Bikash Kumar noted that Odisha’s weaving talent, already nationally acclaimed, will gain new dimensions through this collaboration, enhancing the broader Indian handloom landscape.

The partnership will focus on developing innovative multi-colour paper designs aligned with contemporary apparel and décor trends, offering expert guidance on aesthetics, prototype development, and enterprise-readiness. Additionally, SHG products will benefit from professional photography and digital cataloguing to boost visibility in both online and offline markets, ensuring greater access to national and international platforms. This initiative marks a significant step toward economic empowerment and global recognition for Odisha’s women weavers.

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