HYDERABAD: To help the handloom weaver community in the state, tech giant Microsoft India on Saturday launched a new e-commerce platform, re-weave.in, under its Project ReWeave.

The new website hosting collections created by weaver communities will help in connecting them to buyers, directly enabling them to expand to newer markets, increase their income and revive handlooms.

Under the project, Microsoft India helps weavers with working capital support through non-profit organizations.

Besides, weavers are also trained in the use of natural dyes to enable them to make newer and sustainable handwoven products. The state has close to 1.2 lakh weavers and is home to world famous weaves like Ikat, Gadwal , Pochampally, Naryanpet, Gollabama and Mahadevpur .

Meanwhile, Microsoft in association with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has also curated a curriculum in ‘CAD and Color for Handloom Weaving’ to provide digital training in handloom design. The first batch of 100 handloom weavers were awarded certificates on Saturday for design course completion.

The company has also been training the weaver community in ICT and digital tools in aspects such as upskilling, design, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Anil Bhansali, MD, Microsoft India (R&D), said, “With the introduction of our new e-commerce platform, digital empowerment centres and the new design curriculum, weavers will be able to build on the rich handloom heritage of India and also reach out to a wider customer base.”

Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, industries & IT, Telangana said that initiatives like this e-commerce marketplace and design training will enable weaver communities to sustain themselves and provide livelihood to artisans.

