Telangana: 364 families weave a comeback in Warangal

WARANGAL: The story of 364 weaver families who returned from Surat in Gujarat is one of self-empowerment. After the formation of Telangana state, many weavers returned to their home state following initiatives for weavers announced by the newly-elected government.
These families established Kakatiya Weavers Cooperative Society and urged the government to allot land to set up power looms.
After a long wait, which lasted more than five years, the Kakatiya Weavers Cooperative Society has 364 power loom units spread over 60 acres in Madikonda village of Warangal Urban district. The power loom textile park provides employment to around 5,000 people directly and 4,000 indirectly, in the units.
Of the 364 weavers, 160 started loom work. The weavers made Batukamma sarees in 40 loom units. The remaining units were usually employed for work in the private sector.
According to weavers’ association president Durga Seamy, the state government has ordered 12,50,000 meters of Batukamma sarees, which have to be delivered by October 2021. All the loom units have shared the work for this order equally, and are producing 1000 meters every day. “After finishing and a final check, we will hand the sarees over to the government soon,” the association president said.
D Ravinder , who returned from Surat, expressed his happiness over getting frequent orders. Speaking to TOI, he said that he is happy to work in his motherland: “We did not get to meet ourr family that much when we lived in Surat. However, now, the Telangana state government has provided me with everything. Now, I am not a worker, but an owner of a power loom unit.”