Kolkata, June 10, 2003

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata in a unique endeavor organized an 8-week training programme on 'IT based fabric design' for the silk weavers of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Forty-two silk weavers were trained at the premises of the Baharampur Integrated Software Industry Cooperative Society Ltd. The objective of the training course was to supplement the traditional knowledge of the weavers with a broader perspective of technology offerings. The training has opened the doors for the weavers to experiment with colors and designs without actually consuming any physical resources.

C-DAC, Kolkata took up the challenge of designing a specific training programme for the silk weavers by amalgamating the benefits of technology with available skill sets. The success of the experiment has led to the planning of further endeavors on the same lines. The initiatives will seek to empower the remaining craftsmen to harness the multifaceted benefits of IT to inject new vitality and revive the vigor of their respective crafts and traditional knowledge.

Hailing the initiatives as exemplary, Shri. R.K. Arora, Executive Director,
C-DAC commented that 'the training program is a reflection of C-DAC's commitment to proliferate the benefits of technology to the common man and extending its usage in traditional industries such as silk weaving. At the same time they will provide the much-needed platform for our weavers to fashion their craft for the global markets'.

Initiated by Shri. Manoj Pant, District Magistrate, Murshidabad, who called upon C-DAC and designers from NIFT to help train the weavers, the training was a step in enabling the weavers to cross the line of traditional weaving and get into fashioning products with mass appeal.

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