National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar conducted a successful two-day international conference on March 14-15, 2024.

The conference which commenced with the Lighting of the Lamp ceremony, esteemed dignitaries from various fields graced the event. Ms. Mona Khandhar, IAS Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, Govt. of Gujarat, was the inaugural event's chief guest.

Captain Yogendra Yadav, Recipient of the highest Gallantry Award - Param Vir Chakra; Mr. Pradyumna Vyas, President, World Design Organisation; Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Director, NIFT Gandhinagar; Ms. Chandrima Chatterjee, Secretary-General of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), New Delhi; and Mr. Ronak Chiripal, Director, Chiripal Group were present in the inaugural ceremony.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, highlighted the conference's emphasis on sustainability and innovation. A total of 99 research papers and three insightful panel discussions were scheduled for presentation, focusing on unravelling the complexities and opportunities at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cultural integration. Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood emphasised the deeply ingrained nature of sustainability in Indian society, dating back to nearly 4000 years ago when the Vedas emphasised the importance of sustainability and introduced the concept of "Panchtatvas" for the planet's sustainable development. He also referenced the ancient Indian concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the idea of one world, one family - which inspired the theme for last year's G20 presidency hosted by India, "Mission Life - One World, One Family, and One Future." Building on these concepts, this year's conference theme at NIFT Gandhinagar was "Mission Life." Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood concluded his address by urging participants to engage, learn, and inspire each other as they strive to build a future where sustainability, entrepreneurship, and cultural integration converge amicably. He reiterated the belief that those who protect nature are protected by nature, emphasising the importance of the conference's mission in building a better world and future for upcoming generations.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:

The three-panel discussions were moderated by  Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Director NIFT Gandhinagar, alongwith Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, Dr. Jagriti Mishra, and Mr. Asit Bhatt.

Panel discussion: -1 Brand Bharat: Sustainability, Scale and Skill

The discussion centred around the "Brand Bharat: Sustainability, Scale, and Skills" theme, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the global textile industry. The session emphasised the core values of sustainability, scale, and skills that define Brand Bharat. Participants celebrated its achievements while critically examining future challenges and opportunities.

Mr.Pradyumn Vyas discussed the role of design in sustainability, stressing the need for a holistic approach that communicates the correct value of products, whether handmade or machine-made.Mr. Lalit Narayan Sandhu, talked about how countries with more capital dominate the world instead of countries with higher labour. The main problem faced is communicating the right value of handloom products compared to machine-made products. Ms. Chandrima Chatterjee emphasised the industry's responsibility in sustainability, focusing on water and waste management.Mr. Vimal Mishra highlighted cotton as a sustainable fabric choice but acknowledged its high water consumption and also areas where water efficiency can be implemented.

Proposed solutions included water use efficiency technologies and promoting crop varieties that consume less water. Mr.Himanshu Saini advocated for consumer awareness and choices supporting sustainability, emphasising handloom products' quality-price balance.

Prof. Binaya Bhusan Jena further emphasised the importance of a "farm to fashion" model, highlighting that nearly 95% of handlooms are produced in India. He researched historical sustainability practices, noting that previous eras prioritised natural products, including natural fibres and dyes. He stressed that sustainability should encompass the entire value chain, not just the final product.

He proposed the integration of sustainability into every aspect of production, including the establishment of a natural fibre, dyeing, and processing lab on campus. He emphasised the need for sustainable practices at every stage, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing processes.The discussion further highlighted the significance of policies like "One District One Product" in advancing Brand India. Participants emphasised the importance of including more Geographical Indication (GI) products to enhance the brand's identity. They suggested that the existing model needs to evolve, with a focus on systems design to drive scalability.

Technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) were identified as crucial tools for scaling up production. However, ethical considerations must be kept in mind in their implementation. Participants noted that consumer preferences are shifting towards sustainability, with many rejecting products like fur due to ethical concerns. Hence, policy frameworks should align with evolving societal values to ensure sustainability and ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

Overall, the panel outlined a path forward where sustainability, scale, and skills continue to define Brand Bharat in the global arena.

Panel discussion: -2 : Viksit Bharat @ 2047

In a thought-provoking discussion centred on the theme of "Vikasit Bharat," The panel, moderated by  Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood and  Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, explored avenues for youth empowerment, the role of entrepreneurship, revitalising traditional industries like textiles, and the potential of rural India in shaping the nation's future.

Captain Yogendra Yadav, addressing the issue of youth involvement, highlighted the critical need for skill development among the younger generation. He emphasised that every youth must harness their skills effectively, citing it as essential for India's progress, especially as the nation approaches its 100 years of independence.

Next, attention turned to Mr. Ronak Chiripal, who underscored the significance of modernising the textile industry. He stressed the importance of integrating sustainable practices and adapting to contemporary techniques to remain competitive globally, emphasising the shift towards value-added products.

 Dr. Piyush Sinha elaborated on the pivotal role entrepreneurs will play in shaping India's future, envisioning a landscape where opportunities are abundant. He emphasised the need to seize opportunities and highlighted the potential for India to produce 200 global brands by 2047.

Mr. Alin Shah shed light on India's potential as a textile powerhouse, stressing the importance of inclusive growth and the welfare of labourers. He emphasised the need for robust research and development efforts to drive innovation in the sector.

 Dr. Nilesh Priyadarshi focused on rural development, proposing the creation of localised ecosystems within a 100km radius of villages to foster entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. He echoed the sentiments of PM Modi's vision for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.'

The panellists collectively addressed whether India could achieve developed nation status by 2047. Yogendra Yadav emphasised the role of education, while Piyush Sinha emphasised the need for India to set global benchmarks. Raunak Chirpal highlighted India's demographic dividend but cautioned against blindly following Western influences, stressing the importance of education. Alin Shah emphasised the need to improve India's work culture.

Lastly, Dr Bhaskar Banerjee directed a question to Nilesh Priyadarshani on the contribution of MSMEs to India's development, underlining the importance of nurturing dreams and aspirations among familiar people, drawing parallels with the vision of global giants like Toyota.

The insightful discussion concluded with a shared vision of a prosperous and empowered India, where each citizen plays a pivotal role in the nation's growth story.

Panel discussion :-3 Ubharta Bharat: Udyamita se Udyog tak.

Mr. Banchha Nidhi Pani, IAS highlighted the flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gujarat, emphasising that 65% of the population is below 35, indicating a vibrant demographic conducive to innovation and enterprise. He shared the inspiring story of an IIT Madras student who successfully built a business worth 1 lac 20 thousand crores, showcasing the immense potential of young Indian entrepreneurs.

Mr. Pani noted that the Government of Gujarat is at the forefront of promoting entrepreneurship through various policies. He mentioned the pioneering "Startup Student Policy," which offers financial support ranging from 40,000 to 40 lakhs to students with entrepreneurial aspirations, with the possibility of extending support up to 25 crores. Additionally, he discussed the SSI (Small Scale Industries) policy, which provides incentives even in the event of failure, aiming to alleviate the fear of failure among budding entrepreneurs.

Prof. Dr. Harish PM underscored the importance of dispelling the fear of entrepreneurship among students, advocating for collaborative efforts between academia and the government to instil confidence and provide necessary support systems.

Mr. Pradeep Hota, Faculty, Business Policy & Strategy, IIM Udaipur, introduced the "6E framework" concept, wherein the first three Es focus on what can be done. At the same time, the following three Es revolve around evaluation:

1. Engagement: This involves actively involving entrepreneurs with the IIM Indore campus, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
2. Essential Support: Providing critical resources such as funds and connections for initiating a business venture, enabling entrepreneurs to overcome initial barriers.
3. Empowerment: Encouraging individuals to envision and pursue their goals despite existing circumstances, empowering them to strive for success.
4. Empathy: Understanding the needs and preferences of customers, tailoring their products or services accordingly, and building stronger relationships.
5. Ethics: Upholding ethical standards in business practices, ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in all operations.
6. Excellence Orientation: Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, encouraging entrepreneurs to surpass their past achievements and strive for higher performance standards.

Mr. Aanchal Jain highlighted the pivotal role of creativity and ideation in driving entrepreneurial ventures towards success. Emphasising the importance of creativity, he identified common obstacles such as the emphasis on stakeholder value, adherence to traditional marketing strategies, and aversion to risk.

Mr. Aanchal Jain pointed out something interesting: when it comes to business, being creative sometimes means breaking the rules. He explained that sticking too closely to traditional ways of doing things and being too afraid of taking risks can actually hold back new ideas.

Using examples, Mr. Jain showed that when it comes to making luxury brands it's often the individuals or families who do it best. Because they're not afraid to take big risks. This boldness is something that big companies don't always have.

In simple terms, he said that real creativity means being brave enough to do things differently. It's about taking daring steps that might seem crazy at first but could lead to big success in the end.

Parallel Sessions:

There were 99 research papers presented during the 2 days conference. The top academicians and session chairs evaluated 20 Tracks with 5 papers in each track. In each track, the best paper was awarded to the deserving author. International papers were also presented by authors from Sweden and France. The conference was a resounding success, providing a platform for fruitful discussions and collaborations among experts and stakeholders in fashion, sustainability, and innovation.

AP/GP/JD

 

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