The Textile industry occupies a unique place in our country. One of the earliest to come into existence in India, it accounts for 14% of the total Industrial production, contributes to nearly 30% of the total exports and is the second largest employment generator after agriculture.
Today, India’s textile sector comprises four important segments:
• Modern textile mills
• Independent Power looms
• Handlooms and
• Garments
The fundamental strength of this industry flows from its strong production base of wide range of fibres / yarns from natural fibres like cotton, jute, silk and wool to synthetic /man-made fibres like polyester, viscose, nylon and acrylic. We can just track the strong multi-fibre strong base by highlighting the following important positions reckon by this industry across globe are :
• Cotton – India is the Second largest cotton and cellulosic fibres producing country in the world.
• Silk – India is the second largest producer of silk and contributes about 18% to the total world raw silk production.
• Wool –India has 3rd largest sheep population in the world, having Appox 6.15 crores sheep, producing Appox 45 million kg of raw wool, and accounting for 3.1% of total world wool production. India ranks 6th amongst clean wool producer countries and 9th amongst greasy wool producers.
• Man-Made Fibres- India is the fourth largest in synthetic fibres/yarns globally.
• Jute – India is the largest producer and second largest exporter of the jute goods
History: Indian textile traditions are reputed all over the world and admired for their Quality, texture and durability. India has a diverse and rich textile tradition. The origin of Indian textiles can be traced to the Indus valley civilization. The people of this civilization used homespun cotton for weaving their garments. India had numerous trade links with the outside world and Indian textiles were popular in the ancient world. Indian silk was popular in Rome in the early centuries of the Christian era. Hoards of fragments of cotton material originating from Gujarat have been found in the Egyptian tombs at Fostat, belonging to 5th century.
Craft and cottage industries come together at this important junction between the Punjab and the Gangetic Plains. About 100 km from Delhi, in the state of Haryana, is the sprawling industrial city of Panipat, a luminary of the handloom industry in India. Long before one enters the main city, billboards proclaim the presence of the weaving units. Further, up, the main road is flanked by a string of showrooms with local handloom products on display.
Panipat is undoubtedly a key component of Haryana’s growth story, it is known as ‘The City of Weavers’ and has a enviable distinction of having a history that is connected to one of India’s most revered epics- the Mahabharata. Panipat was one of the five cities founded by the Pandava brothers. It witnessed three pivotal battles which signaled the emergence of the Mughal Empire in the country. With such a glorious heritage, Panipat has secured its place in the annals of the country’s history.
Panipat is famous for ‘panja’ durries a kind of a floor covering, which is in great demand in India and abroad. Originally, it was a traditional item made by village women. However, slowly the product came to be recognized beyond Panipat, the growing demand for durries resulted in a burgeoning number of private and state owned weaving units within the city.
Panipat is prominent because of the growth of industries in the region. The home furnishing industry is well entrenched in the city, producing woollens, durries, quality blankets, carpets, mats, table covers, towels and floor coverings. It finds its roots in the handloom industry that was once the mainstay of Panipat rural economy. A significant quantity of these products are exported to countries such as Japan, China, Germany and Australia. In addition, Panipat city is the biggest centre of “Shoddy Yarn” in the world. Blankets prepared through handloom and power looms in the district, are sent to soldiers all over the country.
As is with the growth of an industry, it is now forward and backward integrating in the region. The District is also popularly known for manufacturing of Textile Machinery such as carding machines, ring frames, doubler, winding reeling, jacquard, cabinets carrier drawing etc.
Many opportunities abound in this area especially because Panipat can become a complete textile
Ecosystem with ability to produce raw material and machinery to exporting final product.
An International Trade and Convention Centre is also being developed at Panipat to promote handloom products serving as a design centre for the handloom products. in order to boost handloom exports, the state government has also established a state-of-the-art facility in Panipat with an investment of US$ 6 million.
Fig. 1.0( Fabric Lapping Machine)
The primary contribution of textile industry:
• It generates employment at various levels and at all cadres and is one of the second largest source of employment after the agriculture sector which contributes towards the backbone of the nation.
• Foreign revenue generation for the country by virtue of overseas exports which contributes around 16% – 17% of the total exports.
• Handloom industry is having 14% share of the total industrial products being manufacture nation wide and it contributes approx. 25% of the total exports of the country.
LEADING PANIPAT TEXTILE COMPANIES
• RIVIERA HOME FURNISHING
• MAHAJAN OVERSEAS PVT
• PALIWAL OVERSEAS
• HANDFAB
• FLORA EXPORTS
• FAZE 3 EXPORTS LTD