UNCTAD to support geographical indication registration of Banarasi silk sarees
19 Aug 2008, 1457 Hrs

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Varanasi, Aug 19 (ANI): In order to promote the world-renowned India's 'Baranasi silk Sarees', the United Nation Conference Of Trade And Development (UNCTAD) has said it would support the geographical indication registration of the traditional Indian women's drape.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of the UNCTAD personally visited the handlooms at Varanasi earlier known as Banaras, and saw for himself the labour being put in by the artisans in weaving the traditional brocade silk sarees.

Panitchpakdi assured the people that special measures would be taken to safeguard the indigenous production of these sarees.

"We would like to support the effort to have a formal geographical indication, of course, at national level. There would be a subsequent international recognition of this product of 'Banarsi silk sarees' and brocades and other products that should be gaining in terms of more value outside India as well," said Supachai Panitchpakdi.

The UNCTAD plans to produce a systematic information network that would be disseminated around in a way that markets abroad will be well informed of the products from Varanasi. They would also try to create brand recognition along with the geographical indication of the products.

Handloom industry of Varanasi has undergone a lot of rigors for quite some years now. Weavers allege that their business has declined due to new people venturing in the markets with machine made products.

"We are facing problems due to machine-made sarees. Our production rate is less compared to them. They produce many sarees compared to our hand woven sarees. Each saree takes 15- 16 days to produce. We have incurred a huge loss because of the competition in the market. Government is not helping us. Many weavers have closed their shop," said Kalpnath Maurya, a weaver.

However, Panitchpakdi's visit to Varanasi has brought a new ray of hope among the artisans who are virtually on the verge of starvation.

"We hope that Panitchpakdi's visit would reap some benefit for us. As we are on the verge of starvation, we hope for some help from his end," said Mohammad Tufail Kadri, a weaver.

The handloom industry has been incurring huge losses because of the unfair competition from mechanised units producing the 'Baranasi silk sarees' at a much faster rate and at much cheaper cost.By Girish Kumar Dubey (ANI)

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