On November 22, 2023, Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh visited the Northern Indian Textile Research Association (NITRA) in Ghaziabad. The Minister inspected Milkweed (Aak) crop cultivation, praising NITRA's research for its potential to revolutionize the textile sector and noting its transfer to leading companies. He formally dedicated India's first Manikin Flame Test System, installed at NITRA, to the nation and industry. This system will benefit the textile, steel, oil, gas, petroleum, railways, and chemical sectors by protecting workers in high-risk environments. Dr. M. S. Parmar, Director General, NITRA, emphasized the technology's importance in determining protective clothing needs. The Minister urged industries to develop Milkweed-based products and utilize the Manikin Flame Test Facility and other services offered by the Centre of Excellence in Protective Textiles, NITRA, under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Release ID: 2192902. Visitor Counter : 1045.
Key Entities Referenced
NITRA: Northern Indian Textile Research Association, a textile research organization.
Ministry of Textiles: The ministry overseeing the textile industry and related research and development.
Manikin Flame Test System: A system installed at NITRA, Ghaziabad, for testing protective clothing and benefiting various industries.
Milkweed: Aak (Milkweed) crop and pioneering research on it at NITRA, which has potential to bring a revolution in the textile sector.
Ghaziabad: Location of NITRA, where Manikin Flame Test System is installed.
Ministry of Textiles
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh
Visits NITRA Ghaziabad
Shri Giriraj Singh inspects Milkweed Cultivation and
Dedicates India’s First Manikin Flame Test System to the
Nation and Industry
Posted On: 22 NOV 2025 5:27PM by PIB Delhi
Union Textiles Minister Shri Giriraj Singh visited Northern Indian Textile Research Association
(NITRA) today and inspected the Milkweed (Aak) crop being cultivated on the campus. The Union
Minister appreciated NITRA’s pioneering research on Aak/Milkweed, noting that it has the potential
to bring a revolution in the textile sector. The minister also mentioned that this is one of the smart-
age fibres and NITRA has already transferred this technology to several leading companies, and in
discussion with others for adopting it.
During this visit, Shri Giriraj Singh formally dedicated India’s first Manikin Flame Test System,
installed at NITRA, Ghaziabad, to the nation and the industry. Speaking about the newly installed
Manikin Flame Test System, the Minister said that it will benefit not only the textile industry but also
the steel, oil, gas, petroleum, railways, and chemical sectors. This testing system will help protect the
lives of workers in high-risk environments.Dr. M. S. Parmar, Director General, NITRA added that this technology strengthens the importance of
protective clothing and helps determine the exact type of protective wear required for different
industries.
In conclusion, the Union minister urged the industries to develop more Milkweed-based products and
take forward NITRA’s research in India and abroad. All industrial sectors are also encouraged to
utilize the Manikin Flame Test Facility and other services offered by the Centre of Excellence in
Protective Textiles, NITRA, under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
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MAM/SMP
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