NIFT Students Flag Lack Of Facilities, Tech For Artisans

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Students of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhopal found that artisans are facing problems due to lack of facilities and technology. The students visited handloom and handicraft clusters in Bhairavgarh, Bhedaghat , Ratlam and Maheshwar under their project work.

During the field visit, they found the problems including no proper tools for fabric printing, no hand gloves for caution while dipping the blocks in hot wax, due to which the wax gets on the hands, no proper arrangement of ventilation in the factory, lack of proper arrangement for keeping the material and the wax is heated on gas or heater, which keeps the room hot and also consumes more electricity.

The artisans get back pain by repeatedly lifting the block. The working place is also not very comfortable. They have to work standing for hours.

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“In Ujjain's Bhairavgarh, we saw the process of block and batik print. When we talked to the artisans, they told us that the wax is heated on a heater or gas, which consumes a lot of electricity and gas. They do not even have enough space to work. They need government assistance to improve the setup,” said Snehal, a student.

“During visit, we understood the work and sequence of block and batik prints as well as their earning and business process. The artisans did not even have a high-key table to keep the fabric, they kept the fabric on a rod table prepared by them,” another student Saumya Singh said.

Under the Craft Research and Documentation Program by NIFT, students visited handloom and handicraft clusters to understand about traditional craftsmanship.

Nodal Officer of NIFT, Anupam Saxena said, "We have made students of three departments visit clusters of handloom and handicraft clusters as a part of the curriculum of the fifth semester. They visited and studied the work of the artisans and craftsmen from various aspects. They learned about the work of craftsmen and their problems. They will document it and also give suggestions. The report will also be submitted to the concerned departments of the state and central government."