In today’s world, where fake products flood markets easily, the rich legacy of Indian handloom is under constant threat. A buyer walks into a store or browses online, sees a tag saying “handloom,” but has no real way of knowing: Was this truly made by a weaver from Kanchipuram, Bhuj, or Kannur—or just a cheap […]
The Fabric of a Nation Torn Before India was colonized by the British, it wasn’t just a land of spices and silks—it was the global textile capital. Between 1680 and 1780, Indian textiles dominated international markets, especially in Europe. British, Dutch, and French traders couldn’t get enough of Indian cottons, silks, and muslins. In
How British Rule Broke India’s Textile Industry and Left Our Weavers to Die in Poverty Read More »
In a remarkable achievement for circular fashion innovation, California-based startup Refiberd, co-founded by Sarika Bajaj and Tushita Gupta, has won the prestigious CFDA x eBay Circular Fashion Fund. The startup received a funding of 300,000 US dollars, which is approximately 2.5 crore rupees in Indian currency. This recognition marks a major milestone not only for
Refiberd Wins CFDA x eBay Circular Fashion Fund – A Big Leap for Sustainable Fashion Read More »
India’s handloom industry is one of the oldest and most culturally rich sectors of the country, providing livelihood to over 3.5 million weavers and artisans. Despite the challenges posed by rapid industrialization and mechanized textile production, the handloom sector has shown remarkable resilience. What’s even more impressive is that handloom exports have been growing steadily,
India’s Handloom Exports on the Rise: Tradition Meets Global Demand Read More »
In 2018, German pharmaceutical and life sciences giant Bayer AG completed its $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto, the infamous agrochemical and biotechnology company behind Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide. On paper, it looked like a bold strategic move to create an agricultural powerhouse. But dig deeper — and you’ll uncover a disturbing web of conflict, controversy,
The Naked Truth: Why Bayer Merged with Monsanto — And What They Don’t Want You to Know Read More »
The Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest inland lake, has become a stark symbol of environmental degradation. Straddling the borders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, it was a vibrant ecosystem supporting thriving fishing communities and diverse wildlife. However, a series of ambitious agricultural policies transformed this oasis into a desolate expanse. The Rise and Fall of
The Rise and Fall of the Aral Sea Read More »
On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of Textiles, under the leadership of Textile Secretary Neelam Shami Rao, convened a pivotal meeting in Bengaluru with the Weavers’ Service Association and other textile institutions. This gathering underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the handloom sector, a vital component of India’s rich cultural heritage and economy. Financial
In a disturbing revelation, the Karnataka Health Department has uncovered that nearly 65% of bottled water samples tested across the state are either unsafe or substandard. This investigation, conducted by the Department of Food Safety and Health Ministry in February 2025, involved collecting 296 samples from 37 districts. The results were shocking: 95 samples were
Unsafe Bottled Water in Karnataka: A Public Health Crisis in the Making Read More »
Kerala’s handloom sector, once a symbol of the state’s rich cultural heritage, is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. Thousands of weavers are grappling with delayed wages, dwindling resources, and a lack of institutional support. This article aims to shed light on the multifaceted challenges confronting the industry, the stakeholders involved, and the urgent need for
Kerala’s Handloom Industry in Crisis: A Call for Immediate Action Read More »
In a world obsessed with metrics, margins, and mass production, it’s easy to club every hand that toils into the same bracket: labour. But not all hands simply work — some create, some weave magic, and some breathe stories into fibers and threads. Those hands belong to weavers and artisans. Despite low or no earnings
Why Weavers and Artisans Are Not Labourers — And Never Will Be Read More »
