Bhubaneswar: ‘Utkal Mahotsav-2023’, ‘From Farm to Fashion’ program has been launched by World Trade Centre (WTC), Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) and the Department of Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts, Government of Odisha at KIIT Institute of Fashion Technology starting on Friday, December 22, 2023.
The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Sulochana Das, the Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Minati Behera, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Prof. B. B. Jena, Chairman of the Indian Textiles Association, Odisha Unit, Dr. Subrata Biswal, Regional Director (Eastern Region) of The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar of KIIT University, Dr. Rina Routray from WTC Bhubaneswar Women Forum, and Bishnu Panda, EDII Project Director. The guests participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, inaugurated the exhibition, and explored the various stalls.
Mayor Sulochana Das expressed her optimism about the program, stating, “This initiative will significantly contribute to the promotion and empowerment of the weaving community. Providing essential training, bank loans, raw materials, and marketing support is crucial, and such programs will serve as inspiration. The state government is actively involved in this endeavor, and it is our collective responsibility to showcase and popularize the state’s art and culture nationally and internationally.”
Gipsita Nayak, Deputy Director of KIIT School of Fashion Technology, shared her enthusiasm for the organized exhibition, with 50 stalls set up at the Campus-3 ground of KIIT University. Numerous weavers and artisans participated, showcasing their products, and attracting a large number of visitors. Nayak remarked, “The weavers and artisans are thrilled with the response.”
