Women Leaders Weaving Success for the Indian Textile Landscape

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Wednesday, 3 January 2024

India has a deep connect with textile and clothing. Since age immemorial the country has been home to some of the most unique and exquisite textiles and material. Be it the richness of the pashmina from Kahmir, the Kantha from the East, the playful Bandhani work from Gujrat & Rajasthan to intricate Kanjivaram from the South, India’s textile history is diverse and rich.

This age-old love for textile has manifested beautifully in the contemporary Indian apparel and textile industry in the country. India is one of the largest producers of textile and apparel; the industry contributes approximately two percent to the GDP per year. Indian textile is also in great demand overseas and it accounted for 11.4 percent of India’s total exports between the years 2020 and 2021. The industry is the second largest employer in the country and provides direct employment to 45 million people and 100 million people in allied industries.

We are one of the largest producers of cotton and jute across the world. India is also the second largest producer of silk in the world. 95 percent of the world’s total hand-woven fabric is sourced from India. As a consequence

The collective Indian textile industry to expected to reach $250 billion business size by 2025.

This immense success has been achieved owing to various factors such as an in-depth cultural knowledge of textiles and supportive government policies. However, the most critical factor has been the hard-working and enterprising entrepreneurs and business leaders who have given a new dimension to the Indian textile and apparel industry. These leaders understand the trade well and are also sensitive to the needs of the modern Indian consumer.

For an instance take Sheeba Nixon A, Partner at JNS Fabric and Exports. She embraces a life shaped by diverse experiences and opted for an entrepreneurial path in the field of textiles. Her strengths include a deep passion for work, adaptability to tech, problem-solving proficiency, and a resilient team ethos, all while valuing learning from others' strengths.

Bhavana Vasantha, Executive Director, Vasantha Industries is another visionary leader from the textile industry. Bhavana, inspired by her father's extensive experience in real estate and textile manufacturing, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey enriched by family wisdom. Despite initially aspiring for a master's in finance, Bhavana found herself immersed in her in-laws' hospitality sector, eventually founding Riverview Barbecue restaurant, Churrasco. Formally inducted into the textile business in 2019, she navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Bhavana's leadership shines through in the implementation of a solar power project, aligning with global discussions on renewable energy and making a significant impact on carbon emissions reduction.

Women such as Bhavana and Sheeba are the architects of Indian textile industry’s rising star in the global market. Read more about them in the current edition of Women Entrepreneur India.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year.