The state government is gearing up for distribution of Bathukamma sarees next month to over one crore women across the Telangana state. Chief Minister Mr K Chandrashekhar Rao launched the scheme in 2017 and it became a tradition in the state that the government would help all the poor women get a new saree for the Dasara festival.
With the initiative of Textile Minister Mr KT Rama Rao, this year, the state government has placed an order for one crore sarees. As many as 15,000 weavers in Sircilla town and other towns are engaged in weaving out sarees in 25 bright colours in over 600 exquisite designs. The gesture is also helping the otherwise beleaguered weavers. The 15,000 weavers and others who are engaged in the exercise are able to earn Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 20,000 as wage per month. The saree-making began in the month of April.
TSTPDC chairman Mr Guduri Praveen said of the one crore sarees order, they have already finished making of 97 lakh sarees. Efforts are being made to distribute them next month. The scheme also resulted in a resurgence of handloom weavers and their art got back its lost patronage. They are now bubbling with energy to give their best producing excellent colours and designs.
This is a unique gesture from the chief minister Mr K Chandrashekhar Rao and was never thought about it in the past by the governments. It has a lot of sentimental value to the people, particularly the rural women who look forward to celebrating the Dasara festival in a grand manner.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao