Hyderabad, Jan 14 (PTI) The Telangana government'sappeal to the state's large IT workforce to wear handloomgarments at least once a week is getting a good response.
The initiative, which began with an appeal made bystate IT Minister K T Rama Rao last year, is getting a goodresponse, IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said.
"Some impressive numbers have come (of those whostarted wearing handloom clothes). We are happy that theindustry has responded to our request," he told PTI.
Following the government's initiative, SatyanarayanaMathala, president of Facilities Management Council (FMC),Telangana, had taken up the task to coordinate and reach outto about 4.50 lakh-strong IT and ITeS (Information Technologyand Information Technology-enabled Services) employees in thecity towards popularizing handloom wear.
As part of the initiative, the FMC Telangana,aprofessional body of the facility management industry in thestate, had announced a "Handloom Monday" in the IT industry.
Its members had also cycled five kms last month in theIT hub of the city to promote the day.
A three-day IT handloom Mela was organised by thegroup at the Art and Cultural Centre, Phoenix Arena at HitechCity here last month which Satyanarayana said was a successwith sales to the tune of around Rs 8 lakh.
Around 20 companies were covered during the eventwhich had witnessed a footfall of 10,000 employees, he toldPTI today. "We say that if you are wearing it, wear it withpride and not due to sympathy (for handloom weavers)," hesaid.
Satyanarayana added that the FMC would be organisinganother event this month-end at Raheja IT Park where about 100companies are located.
"The target is to cover to at least 50,000 employeesthis month out of one lakh working there. Even if 50,000 comein, it will be a great success," he said.
The plan, he said, is to have one event every monthand also to get IT companies to adopt an HR policy where itsemployees would be asked to wear handloom garments once everyweek. PTI SJRBNM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.