New Delhi, Aug 31: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday urged graduating students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to maintain a global outlook while remaining firmly connected to India’s roots and cultural values, saying fashion technology could play a major role in expanding the country’s global footprint.
Addressing the combined convocation ceremony of 18 NIFT campuses in New Delhi, Murmu said India was expanding its role on the global stage with greater confidence and that the fashion and apparel sector offered immense opportunities to contribute to this growth.
She asked the students to use this opportunity to create world-class products and brands while preserving India’s cultural identity.
“Students should maintain a global outlook while remaining firmly connected to their roots and the core values of our culture,” she said.
The President said the textile and apparel sector was not merely part of India’s cultural heritage but also the backbone of livelihoods for millions of people.
She stressed the need to support traditional artisans and said appropriate guidance and opportunities would encourage younger generations to remain associated with their crafts with pride and confidence.
Murmu also highlighted NIFT’s Craft Cluster Initiative, under which various NIFT centres work with weavers and artisans in their respective regions to familiarise them with modern techniques in the textile and apparel sector and help connect their products with markets.
She called for greater emphasis on sustainability while developing fashion products and brands.
The President said locally available raw materials should be used wherever possible to contribute to environmental conservation. She emphasised that remnants from production should not simply be treated as waste.
“They can be given a new form, new utility, and new value,” she said.
Murmu noted that sustainability and social responsibility had been given significant importance in NIFT’s strategic plan and expressed confidence that the institute would take effective steps to expand circular economy practices across the textile and apparel sector.
She said such efforts would be important for building a sustainable future for the industry while creating greater value from available resources.
The President also underlined the role of young people in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
She said the nation had high expectations from talented students graduating from prestigious institutions such as NIFT and urged them to use their skills not only for professional success but also for wider social and economic progress.
Murmu called upon the graduates to contribute to building a society in which every citizen had a fair opportunity to participate in the country’s development.
She particularly encouraged them to work towards improving the productivity and income of artisans while ensuring that the authentic identity of traditional crafts was preserved.
The combined convocation brought together graduating students from 18 NIFT campuses, marking the completion of their academic programmes and the beginning of their professional journeys in the fashion and textile sector.
