Since its inception in 2019 under SFURTI scheme with the technical assistance of KIIT-TBI, UDALA WEAVING CLUSTER under the firm management of implementing agency Mauna Dhwani Foundation has made astounding progress both in empowering local artisans and propelling the traditional weaving industry into the global stage. To review the progress and current status of activities, a team of esteemed officials from the Nodal Agency (IEDO) and DIC, Mayurbhanj visited the Udala Weaving Cluster on July 24, 2024. Led by Shri Prabhakar Rao, Additional Chief Executive Officer (IEDO), the team comprised Shri Gagan Nayak, Officer on Special Duty (OSD)-SFURTI, Mr. Siba Brata Rath, and Balabhadra Nayak O.I.S (I), GM DIC Mayurbhanj. During this visit, the officials were accompanied by a dedicated team from the technical agency (KIIT-TBI), led by Dr. Barada Prasanna Sahoo, Manager and consisting of Mr. Suramya Mishra, Manager; and Mr. Manoranjan Maharana, Cluster Associate.
Mr. Basanta Dalai, representative of “Maunadhwani Founation”, the Implementing Agency (IA) of the cluster and the Mr. Kishor Mahapatra, Cluster Development Executive of the cluster provided a cordial welcome to the officials and provided them with a tour of the cluster and its various activities. The team appreciated the cluster’s diverse range of value-added textile products, including sarees, towels, shirts, dupattas, and bed sheets, diary cover all crafted from cotton, jute, and silk raw materials.
The officials conducted a comprehensive review of the cluster’s intervention activities, assessing both hard and soft components, including civil works, plant and machinery, training programs, production metrics, and sales data. They were notably impressed with the progress made. Furthermore, the officials recommended that the Implementing Agency (IA) and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) procure the remaining two pieces of machinery promptly to ensure the cluster becomes fully operational.
After the review, the officials engaged with artisans to gain insights into their experiences and address any challenges they were encountering. Both the Nodal and Technical Agencies expressed their commitment in assisting the IA with certification, licensing, trade marking, market linkage, and product branding needs of the cluster. Additionally, the Tanta Gatha Foundation (SPV) received support from the KIIT-TBI team in registering for the MSME Competitive (Lean) scheme.
The visit concluded on a highly positive note, with the officials expressing their satisfaction with the cluster’s remarkable advancements since its inception in 2019. The officials reiterated their commitment to providing the necessary assistance to overcome any challenges, ensuring the cluster’s full operational capacity and its sustained contribution to the local economy and heritage.
