– Stalls of local products of Himachal, including jute, wool, and silk, will be set up.
Ekta Exhibition will be organized in Shimla from 19 May to 26 May 2025 under the joint aegis of the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Self-help groups from across the state will exhibit their local products in the Ekta (Exhibition cum Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage) exhibition. Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap held a meeting with Jute Commissioner Malay Chandan Chakraborty of the National Jute Board, Kolkata. This exhibition will be held at Gaiety Theatre, Mall Road, Padam Dev Complex, Ridge in Shimla.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that the Khushal Cluster Federation in Shimla has been working in the field of jute for a long time. They will also be allowed to set up free stalls in this exhibition so that they can get their products to the people. Through the National Jute Board, the members of the Khushal Cluster Federation will be trained so that they can prepare and sell the latest jute products in Shimla. Such exhibitions are inspirational for the rural economy. He said that along with the exhibition, a special workshop for self-help groups will also be organized at the Gaiety Theater from May 19 to 21. In this, information and training will be given on various topics every day from 11 am to 5:30 pm.
Giving information, Malay Chandan Chakravarty, Jute Commissioner of the National Jute Board Kolkata, said that the aim of Ekta Manch is to promote sustainable livelihood by showcasing Himachal’s emerging strength in wool, jute, and silk crafts. Along with this, these efforts are to be increased by integrating local artisans into national and global textile value chains. Through major initiatives such as PM Mitra, Samarth, Resham Samagra, and National Jute and Handicraft Development Programmes, the Government of India is enhancing the ecosystem for fiber-based rural entrepreneurship. Apart from this, an exhibition of other products of the district will be organized. The Indian textile sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, heritage, and livelihood. Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the Himalayas, is a repository of rich textile traditions, which prominently include wool, jute, and silk. These natural fibers are not only culturally important but are also environmentally sustainable and economically empowering. Wool is an integral part of the Himachali heritage, with many other products, including the iconic Kullu, Kinnauri, and Chamba shawls, being an important part of the culture. Meanwhile, jute, though traditionally associated with eastern India, is being increasingly adopted in Himachal for eco-friendly textile and geo-textile innovations, which provide scope for diversification and rural employment. Kishan Singh and Secretary Shashi Bhushan of the National Jute Board were specially present during this.
