HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, March 16: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been leading transformative initiatives for the micro-enterprises in Assam, particularly in revitalizing the state’s textile industry through its flagship initiative, Digital Saksham Project.
The initiative, which is in collaboration with Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, is significantly contributing to the growth of Assam’s textile industry by providing digital literacy, skill development, and market access to artisans and weavers.
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Digital Saksham Project aims to empower entrepreneurs at the grassroots level and foster an inclusive ecosystem conducive to industry growth and development. Digital Saksham Project not only imparts digital skills but also facilitates access to markets through digital commerce platforms, sharing knowledge for social media marketing,
Handholding to register on the Udyam Portal, create awareness, and support micro
entrepreneurs to register on GeM, ONDC – thus ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
Commenting on Digital Saksham’s achievements in Assam, Mr. Ashok Saigal, Co-Chairman of CII National MSME Council and MD FrontierTechnologies Pvt. Ltd., stated, “CII is proud to have played a catalytic role in the transformation of micro-enterprises working in Assam’s textile industry. By embracing digital technologies and fostering regional cooperation, we are not only preserving our rich textile heritage but also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and driving economic growth across the state. The project provides special training in the regional languages to eliminate barriers between digital technologies and its adoption. With Digital Saksham Project, we are also supporting traditional artists, especially womenentrepreneurs to share their products and the traditional arts beyond limitations of distance and geographicalboundaries.”
For handloom workers, specialized training that focuses on business tools and helps with Udyam registration has been arranged. Wholesalers at Mahanta Silk House are expanding their product lines in response to the wants and needs of their customers. The beneficiaries expressed an interest in increasing their production by acquiring additional handloom machines, facilitated by securing loans to boost earnings and career prospects. According to the suggestions made, items like cushion covers are being expanded and updated designs are being developed to appeal to both domestic and foreign markets. Furthermore, the team has been helping MSME Entrepreneurs and owners with GST-free enrolment, which removes a barrier to e-commerce participation.
Digital Saksham has been instrumental in promoting collaboration among different regions within Assam to harness their unique textile heritage and strengths, contributing to the Assamese Textile Renaissance. In Kamrup district, these initiatives have seamlessly integrated traditional weaving techniques with modern digital technologies, enabling weavers to enhance productivity and produce high-quality textiles. Similarly, in Lakhimpur, Digital Saksham has played a significant role in revitalizing the handloom sector by introducing digital tools and techniques for increasing the business reach thereby preserving traditional craftsmanship while ensuring competitiveness in the digital age.
Additionally, Digital Saksham’s interventions in Dhemaji have facilitated the convergence of the region’s rich textile heritage with digital innovationthusopening up new avenues for growth and sustainability in the sector. Through various capacity-building programs and mentorship initiatives, Digital Saksham has empowered local entrepreneurs in Kamrup, Lakhimpur, and Dhemaji to leverage digital platforms for business expansion through increased market reach, and brand visibility, and showcasing Digital Success Stories to inspire others.
Currently, Digital Saksham has reached 6,426 micro-enterprises and provided trainings to over 1,383 micro-enterprisesin Assam. Going forward, Digital Saksham aims to continue its collaborations with all parties involved to accelerate Assam’s transformation into a thriving center of business and industry, which would improve the state’s and the people’s general economic well-being.
