13th National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in the country at Chheb near Kangra

By Vijyender Sharma
KANGRA---Rs. 150 crore would be spent under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) to develop Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda on the analogy of AIIMS, NHPC, NJPC and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam to jointly establish Hydro Engineering College to create skilled manpower to take on hydro electric generation in the State.

This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 13th National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in the country at Chheb near Kangra today where he joined the Union Minister of Textiles Shri Shankersinh Vaghela.

Chief Minister thanked the Union Textile Minister for acceding to the request of the State Government to open one international level fashion technology institution in Himachal Pradesh which the State considered as 'A New Year Gift'. He also thanked for Central University at Dehra, IIT and ESI Hospital and Medical College at Mandi, besides making efforts to strengthen the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College Tanda on the analogy of AIIMS so that specialised medical facilities were made available to the people of H.P. and neighbouring States.

Prof. Dhumal said that five more medical colleges in the private sector would also be opened in different places all over the State on priority. He said that upgradation of the polytechnics and other technical and vocational institutions was in progress so that emerging traders were taught to the educated youth which could ensure them attractive jobs and pay packages. He said that in the age of par excellence, vocational education was the only mode to find assured employment to the educated youth of the State. He said that NIFT would provide them opportunity to enter into international fashion arena and bring laurels to the State.

Chief Minister said that Himachal was rich in many a traditional woollen costumes which could be part of fashion technology and popularise the same in the international fashion world. He said that the State Government would be presenting 'Chamba Rumal' to the Union of England, Chief Guest of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in New Delhi.

Prof. Dhumal raised the demand for inclusion of Gaddi sheep in Himachal Pradesh under Union Government Integrated Wool Improvement and Development Programme (IWIDP) to protect the interest of about 4 lakh sheep population of the State. He said that the programme envisaged genetic improvement as well as sustained livelihood for the gaddi tribesmen.

Chief Minister said that State had patented Kullu shawl, Chamba Rumaal and Kangra tea to protect the interest of genuine weavers and growers and also save the consumers from paying for duplicate products being sold to them in the name of Himachal products. He said that the State Government would be making efforts to make consumers available the genuine and original products.

Shri Shankersinh Vaghela, Union Minister of Textiles congratulated Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister for obtaining an international standard NIFT for the State. He said that high profile fashion designing jobs were awaiting quality professionals to take up the global challenges in fashion technology. He said

that quite a handsome salary package was available to the qualified and competent fashion designers. He said that every student admitted to NIFT had full chances of getting top position. He said that national level competition was being conducted for admitting students to NIFT and there were about 1500 students who were taking education in 12 NIFT set up all over the country were ready to take up the fashion world with their innovations and vision.

Union Minister said that fashion designing had diversified professions which was capable to make its presence felt in every object which enters the market. He said that Indian civilization, customs and tradition were the base for rare innovation and research in fashion technology world which was incomparable in rest of the world. He said that fashion designing was universal avocation.

Shri Vaghela said that NIFT would soon be coming up with Ph.D in Fashion Technology so that only high professionals and fashion designers were groomed. He said that with top qualification in fashion technology, the NIFT would be contributing significantly towards the Fashion Designing. He said that NIFT would also contribute significantly towards tourism promotion in the State.

Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that the Union Government would sympathetically consider demand of the State for inclusion of Gaddi sheep of the State under Integrated Wool Improvement and Development Programme (IWIDP) and provide Rs. 7 crore for the promotion of the same to protect the interests of sheep rearers.

Shri Shanta Kumar, MP and former Union Minister also welcomed the Union Textiles Minister and thanked him for setting up of an important developmental milestone in Kangra district. He said that high tech fashion technology had emerged the need of the hour to produce high modern professionals in fashion technology. He congratulated Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister for succeeding in getting the first Fashion Technology institution in North India for Himachal Pradesh. He said that the proposed NIFT would revolutionise fashion technology activities as also create manpower to meet the global demand of fashion designers.

Shri Sanjay Chaudhary, MLA welcomed the Chief Minister and Union Minister of Textiles and other dignitaries to his home segment Kangra to lay foundation stone of an important milestone in vocational education NIFT at Chheb. He said that national level institution would be instrumental to provide quality vocational education in the State.

Shri Ravinder Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Shri Kishan Kapoor, Transport Minister, Shri Ramesh Dhwala, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Shri Rajan Sushant, Shri Des Raj, Shri Vipin Pamar, Shri Praveen Sharma and Shri Rakesh Pathania, MLAs, former MLAs, Shri Trilok Kapoor, Chairman, Woolfed, Shri Rajiv Takru, Director General, NIFT, Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, Govt. of India, Shri P.C. Dhiman, Principal Secretary, Education and Technical Education, Shri Kamlesh Pant, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Atul Fulzele, S.P., Shri S.S. Guleria, Director, Technical Education, senior officers from Govt. of India and State were present on the occasion.