Indus Valley Times

By Payal Banerjee

Bhubaneswar : In a significant step towards sustainable community development and the preservation of Odisha’s rich textile heritage, Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Weavers’ Service Centre (WSC), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, for the holistic development and promotion of the Sambalpuri handloom sector in Odisha.

The MoU was signed in the august presence of Ms. M. Beena, Development Commissioner, DC Handloom; Mr. Vikash Kumar, Deputy Director; and Mr. Laxmi Shankar, Assistant Director. Representing Hindalco Industries were Dr. Vinod Verma, President, Corporate Affairs; Ms. Sumita Singh, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Affairs; Ms. Anoma Basu, Assistant Vice President, Sustainable Mining; Mr. Anuj Garg, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs; Ms. Gipsy Siddhanta, Manager, Sustainable Mining; and Ms. Iqra Fatima, Young Sustainability Professional.

This partnership aims to enhance the socio-economic condition of weaver communities through skill development, product and design interventions, improved market access, infrastructure strengthening, and institutional support under Hindalco’s Community Development Programme. Key interventions include technical upskilling, productivity enhancement, development of contemporary and diversified product lines while preserving GI authenticity, adoption of modern design tools, branding and digital traceability, strengthened market linkages, and facilitation of social security measures.

Sambalpuri Ikat, known for its intricate tie-and-dye technique, involves the meticulous resist-dyeing of yarns before weaving, requiring exceptional precision to achieve its distinctive geometric and symbolic patterns. Despite the complexity and cultural richness of this craft, many weavers remain confined to routine production cycles, limiting its broader value realisation.

Through this initiative, Hindalco envisions transforming Sambalpuri textiles into a contemporary, scalable, and globally recognised brand — one that remains deeply rooted in tradition while being community-owned and value-driven.

Under the terms of the MoU, the Weavers’ Service Centre will provide policy guidance, technical expertise, support for GI compliance, and access to institutional infrastructure. Hindalco Industries, on the other hand, will be responsible for funding and implementation of the programme, including project management, branding, market integration, and impact monitoring. A joint monitoring mechanism will be established to periodically review progress, assess outcomes, and ensure effective implementation of the initiative.

The Sambalpuri handloom initiative builds upon Hindalco’s experience from the successful social enterprise project ‘Kosala,’ which has empowered over 700 Kosa silk artisans in Chhattisgarh by reviving traditional crafts, enhancing skills, and providing market access. By putting past experience to use and guidance through this collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Hindalco Industries is set to create a significant positive socio-economic impact for artisans across Sambalpur.