Silk - the queen of all fabrics is historically one of
India's most important industries. Silk is loved the world over for its beauty,
grace and exquisiteness enriched further by the creativity of traditionally
skilled artisans. Its natural sheen, delightful textures, inherent
sophistication and excellent drape imparts it the magnificence which no other
fibre can substitute.
India produces a variety of silks called Mulberry, Tasar, Muga and Eri. The
sericulture industry is mostly concentrated in Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andhra
Pradesh and to some extent Assam and West Bengal. Karnataka accounts for more
than 70 percent of the country's total silk production.
Sericulture is an important labour intensive and agro-based cottage industry
providing livelihood to 6.3 million people in urban and rural India. Of these, a
sizeable number of workers belong to the weaker sections of society.
India is also the largest consumer of silk in the world. Not able to meet the
domestic demand India has been importing silk from China to the tune of 10,000
metric tons per annum. Thus there is considerable scope for stepping up
production of raw silk in the country.
Central Silk Board, Bangalore under the Ministry of Textiles has been entrusted
with the overall responsibility of ensuring proper development of the silk
industry in India. The CSB has taken a number of initiatives relating to
Research & Development, transfer of technology, silk worm seed production etc.
Of late, silk has been facing unfair competition from unscrupulous manufacturers
and traders, who pass off cheap man-made fibres as pure natural silk. To protect
the consumer interests as well those of other stake holders, the Ministry of
Textiles introduced the Silk Mark Scheme in 2004. Silk Mark the quality
assurance label signifying that a product to which it is affixed is made of pure
silk. Silk Mark labels can be affixed to primary, intermediate and finished
products of silk including yarn, fabric, sarees, made –ups, garments, carpets,
The Silk Mark label is printed on a specific format and supplied to the
authorized users. High security hologram, manufactured under licence is provided
with special features. An identifiable serial number is assigned to each piece
of hologram. During 2009-10, 209 members and 205 Authorized Users were enrolled
and 13.63 lakh Silk Mark Labeled products were introduced in market.
To spread the message of Silk mark, a well thought out action plan is in place.
Silk Mark Organization of India has successfully organized Silk Mark Expos in
Mumbai and Bangalore. Besides generating business activities, such Expos have
been proved to be the powerful tool in the promotion of Silk Mark scheme. It
also participated in over 200 exhibitions and Expos around the world.
Today the Indian silk industry is already a major player in the global scenario
and the growth prospects for the industry seem to be bullish. With substantial
government and international subsidies for silk projects and marketing schemes,
the industry has been expanding rapidly over the last few years. Silk exports
too are growing rapidly. Germany is the largest consumer of Indian silk.
Measures like the improved R & D in various aspects of sericulture, quality
control of silk and silk products and stable prices of silk cocoons and raw
silk, can help the market expand rapidly.
(Silk Mark Expo 2011 will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on February 2, 2011 at The
World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai. The exhibition will be on from
February 2- 7, 2011)