CM lays foundation stone for Pipili applique hub

Bhubaneswar/Pipili: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Pipili appliqué handicrafts hub in Puri district.The five-storey integrated facility, to be built over more than five acres at Jagannathpur under Pipili tehsil, will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore by the department of handlooms, textiles and handicrafts.Describing Pipili appliqué work as a symbol of Odisha’s cultural identity and Jagannath tradition, the CM said the project would strengthen the globally renowned craft and help connect local artisans with national and international markets. “The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ vision, and will play a significant role in promoting Odisha’s traditional crafts worldwide,” he said.The proposed hub will house 50 commercial shops, six govt showrooms, live demonstration centres, training facilities, an audio-visual gallery, open-air theatre and Odia food court. It will also showcase and market all 64 recognised handicrafts of Odisha, including six GI-tagged art forms.Majhi said the project would directly benefit more than 6,000 artisans from Pipili and surrounding areas. A raw material bank will be established to provide affordable inputs to craftsmen, while special training in digital marketing and packaging will be offered to artisans, particularly women members of self-help groups, to help them access e-commerce platforms.Handlooms, textiles and handicrafts minister Pradeep Bal Samanta said the project would provide a major boost to Pipili’s economy and improve the livelihoods of artisans and weavers.