India's NIFT to introduce technical textiles as an academic subject

India's ministry of textiles is making efforts to utilise the potential of technical textiles to the fullest and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will work towards introducing technical textiles as an academic subject in the near future, Union textiles minister Smriti Irani said at the first convocation of NIFT Srinagar.

Technical textiles, which involves production and design of textiles for use in industries other than apparel and decoration, is going to be the next big thing in the future, the minister said in her address as the chief guest on the occasion.

Irani said that the first batch of NIFT Srinagar has added a golden page in the 35-year-old history of the institution. She inspired the students to be prepared for whatever life has to offer and expressed faith that with the training imparted to them at NIFT, they would be equipped to deal with any tests and hardships that may come their way.

The minister said that the government of Jammu and Kashmir has recently announced a package of ₹30,000 crore as part of the J&K Industrial Policy and urged upon the students to put in their best efforts to reap benefit from it.

Congratulating the graduates and their parents, minister of youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju urged the students to make best use of the opportunities available to them as the apparel and fashion industry has a lot of potential. He said that the youth of India has an important role to play in defining and portraying soft image and soft power of the country and that the alumni of NIFT Srinagar will play a pioneering role in this direction.

NIFT Srinagar offers two undergraduate courses in Fashion Design and Fashion Communication of four years duration each.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)