https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Sujani Weaving Art Granted ‘GI’ Tag; A First For Bharuch, Gujarat

This is the result of the dedicated efforts put in by the various stakeholders - from artisans to government officials under Project ROSHANI
Indian Masterminds Stories

An old weaving art of Bharuch in Gujarat – Sujani – has now finally got its due. It has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) Tag by the “Geographical Indication Registry office” of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It was a long-pending demand from the Bharuch artisans and the administration, and Sujani is the first product from the Bharuch district to receive the GI tag.

This is the result of the dedicated efforts by the various stakeholders – from artisans to government officials under Project ROSHANI.

Once upon a time, Sujani was famous in the entire country. Even the Britishers praised it. But, unfortunately, this art was dying in recent times and only one family was left doing the Sujani weaving work.

Also Read: How An Officer Revived A Dying Ancient Art of Weaving of Bharuch

It was left to 2012 batch IAS officer and Bharuch Collector, Tushar D Sumera, to initiate its revival. Under the ‘Roshni Project’, the district administration devised a plan to give a new lease of life to the Sujani weaving technique. Accordingly, a training center was set up and a cooperative society formed for Sujani weavers.

Sujani is world famous for its unique style of quilt, like double woven cloth in which fabric is woven simultaneously and interlocked at fixed intervals creating pockets in between which are filled by cotton.

Project ROSHANI is a CSR initiative aiming to revive the languishing art of Sujani weaving art of Bharuch with strategic multiple interventions such as formation of cooperative society of weaver artisans, development of training cum production center, formalization of the handloom business, product standardization, women empowerment through training, preparing next young generation as Sujani weavers, etc.

As a part of Project ROSHANI, application for GI tag was filed by the Shree Bharuch District Sujani Production and Sales Cooperative Society with the District Administration playing a key facilitator for the documentation. DIC office, Commissioner Cottage Office (HSY) and many stakeholders also shared efforts for the documentation and paper work.

Also Read: How An Officer Revived A Dying Ancient Art of Weaving of Bharuch

ROSHANI Project was started on 12 March, 2023 with the inauguration of Rewa Sujani Center at the heart of Bharuch, near Furja, in the Heritage Building. The very first prototype handloom was developed after 40 long years under Project ROSHANI. This RewaSujani Center is a common facilitation cum training facility for all who want to learn about this exclusive art of Sujani weaving.

Due to the efforts of team ROSHANI, artisans like Muzakkir Sujaniwala was awarded the State Award for Languishing Art by the Government of Gujarat. Artisans started gaining confidence in the revival of this art. New generation along with non-Sujaniwala famililes also showed interest and started learning this weaving art which provided them livelihood opportunity as well.

Sujani artisans also participated in various national and international exhibitions such as G-20 conferences at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, National Handloom Day Celebration at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Bharat Tex, New Delhi, and many more.

Sujani was also included in the ODOP List (One District, One Product) to give wider exposure of national and international markets with the support of government. Various workshops and documentation activities were also organized such as Product Development and Design Sensitization by NID, craft documentation by NIFT, Gandhinagar, Hastkala Setu Yojana, and many more.

How GI Tag will benefit Sujani Weavers of Bharuch?

When the source and authenticity matter, using geographical indications (GI) can identify your product as being the real deal. GIs are a name or sign that indicates a product has a certain quality or reputation due to that origin. This will help Sujani to give correct identification with quality assurance and secure the art, developed by the creative ancestors of Sujaniwala family.

  • Enhance the reputation of Sujani
  • Build consumer confidence
  • Communicate commitment to social responsibility
  • Support regional economic development by providing livelihood opportunities to many
  • Prevent fraudulent uses that indicate origin

Also Read: How An Officer Revived A Dying Ancient Art of Weaving of Bharuch


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Punjab_govt_resized
Punjab: 2 IAS Officers Transferred in Late Evening Move, Jaspreet Singh Takes Over as MD of Punjab INFOTECH
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC PCS 2025 Prelims on October 12: 42 Exam Centres in Meerut, First-Time Room Inspector Training Introduced
ED _Enforcement_Directorate
ED Sends Fresh Notice to Nikant Jain, Close Aide of Suspended IAS Abhishek Prakash, Amid Ongoing Probe
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Punjab_govt_resized
Punjab: 2 IAS Officers Transferred in Late Evening Move, Jaspreet Singh Takes Over as MD of Punjab INFOTECH
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC PCS 2025 Prelims on October 12: 42 Exam Centres in Meerut, First-Time Room Inspector Training Introduced
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT