National Handloom Expo Has Begun in Ahmedabad City in Western Indian State of Gujarat

A 15-day National Handloom Expo has begun in Ahmedabad city in western Indian state of Gujarat.
 
The expo is sponsored by the Central Government and supported by the Government of Gujarat.
 
Several primary agencies, NGOs and master designers and individual weavers, representing different clusters of the country, are participating in the expo, which is likely to do business of Rs. 25 million. 
 
Traditional handloom works of artisans from 12 Indian states including West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are now on display at 53 differently sized stalls at the expo.
 
The products on display include some items that are in high-demand such as single ikat Patola sarees, Patan's well-known Mashroo fabric, home linen and natural texture fabrics from Surendranagar, Sanand and Mehsana in Gujarat, Baluchari from Andhra Pradesh, Chanderi sarees from Madhya Pradesh, Kashmiri silks, Benarasi brocade saris and Kantha, Maheshwari and Bihu sarees.
 
NO Solanki, Deputy Director (Weaving), Ministry of Textiles, said development of handloom industry in the country is one of the priority areas and said the weavers of Gujarat have showcased magnificent improvement in their skills over the past five years.
 
He said national handloom expos not only bring good business to the state, but it also benefits all handloom clusters across India.
 
The next handloom expo in Gujarat is likely to be held in Vadodara in January 2013.