Date: 2025-08-18Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Two weeks International Certificate program on “Heritage and Indigenous Textiles” is organized by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs under Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme(ITEC)
**Policy Summary:**
The Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, conducted a two-week international certificate program on Heritage and Indigenous Textiles. This marks the first collaboration between the two ministries on this subject. Held at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Varanasi from August 18th to 29th, 2025, the program hosted 26 participants from 16 countries. The inaugural session on August 18th, 2025, featured Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner Handlooms, as the Chief Guest, who emphasized the cultural significance and sustainability of Indian handlooms. The ITEC program, established in 1964, serves as a capacity-building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, having trained over 200,000 officials from 160 countries. The "Heritage & Indigenous Textiles" course targeted policymakers, practitioners, and textile professionals, providing field visits to handloom clusters and key Indian institutions to explore Indian handloom traditions, techniques, preservation, and their role in global trade. IIHT, Varanasi, established in 1956, provided training in modern handloom methods.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and regulation of the textile industry.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for India's foreign relations.
Indian Technical Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC): A capacity building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for training officials from other countries.
Office of Development Commissioner Handlooms: An office under the Ministry of Textiles responsible for the development of the handloom sector.
Dr. M. Beena: Development Commissioner Handlooms, who was the Chief Guest during the inaugural session of the program.
Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: An institute hosting the International Certificate program, established by the Government of India to train personnel in handloom technology.
IIT Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, which conducted a Carbon Credit study of handlooms.
Banaras, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its textile traditions, and a location for immersive experiences in the course.
Ministry of Textiles
Two weeks International Certificate program on
“Heritage and Indigenous Textiles” is organized by
the Office of Development Commissioner
(Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles in collaboration
with Ministry of External Affairs under Indian
Technical & Economic Cooperation
Programme(ITEC)
Posted On: 18 AUG 2025 5:08PM by PIB Delhi
Two weeks International Certificate program on “Heritage and Indigenous Textiles” is organized by the
Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with Ministry of
External Affairs under Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC).This is the first time
that the Ministry of Textiles is collaborating with Ministry of External Affairs in this regard.The program is
attended by 26 participants from 16 countries and is hosted by the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology
th th
(IIHT), Varanasi from 18 to 29 August, 2025.
Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) was the Chief Guest during the inaugural session
th
held on 18 August, 2025. While inaugurating the programme, she highlighted that the study of Indian
textiles is a study of the rich cultural heritage of India. Each weave of India represents its culture & tradition
and every weave tells a story.
She underscored the importance of sustainability imbibed in handlooms and its validation through Carbon
Credit study of IIT Delhi. She further emphasised the need to go 'Back to Roots' as adapting handlooms is not
looking back, it is looking for a greener tomorrow. She hoped that the course will be an immersive experience
of 'Banaras' and Indian textile traditions.
ITEC Programme, is the leading and one of the oldest capacity building platforms of the Ministry of External
Affairs, Government of India, instituted in 1964 & having trained more than 2,00,000 officials from 160+countries in both the civilian and in the defense sector.
ITEC Two-Weeks Course on "Heritage/Indigenous Textiles is designed for policymakers, practitioners, and
textile professionals from various countries to explore India’s rich heritage/indigenous textiles and understand
the integral role of the Indian handloom sector in the global textile market. The course offers immersive field
visits to Handloom Clusters and India’s key institutions/centres focusing on Indian handloom traditions, their
significance, techniques, preservation and how they play a pivotal role in global trade.
IIHT, Varanasi has been established by the Government of India in 1956 to train technical personnel in
modern methods and latest developments in the handloom field.
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MAM/SMP
(Release ID: 2157544)