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Now, an app for Baluchari fashion wear
Kolkata: To prevent next generation of weavers from abandoning the heritage art, the West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd (Manjusha) on Tuesday launched a e-commerce portal and app exclusively devoted to promoting the 300-year-old Baluchari form of weaving, through not just sarees but via a variety of products.
Manjusha launched a range of Baluchari weave products such as ties, jackets for men and women, shirts for men as well as wooden jewellery replicating the characteristic arrangement of warp and wefts depicting scenes from epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana) and courtly ceremonies as patterns on a piece of fabric, usually silks.
“We have collaborated with Brandnext to accumulate the best artisans who have carried on the craft through generations. On offer are 121 items ranging from silks to ties, jackets, shirts to kurtas,” said Amit Dutta, Managing Director, Manjusha.
Baluchari weaving was brought to a small village named Baluchar along the bank of river Bhagirathi in Murshidabad district of Bengal in the 18th century under the patronisation of first Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan. The hub of the craft later shifted to Bishnupur in Bankura district, the capital of the Malla rulers.
Dutta said the website also enables consumers to watch how the sarees are being made manually on traditional looms.
Usually, one saree takes anywhere from five to six days to a few weeks to be completed depending on the intricacy of the patterns.
Two artisans work through eight-hour shifts each, per day, on a saree, to create the elaborate motifs on the border and ‘pallu’.
“Apart from promoting it worldwide, we are also going for product diversification by launching Baluchari patterned ties and jackets etc. Buyers can also customise the designs they want,” said Dutta who also launched QR-code enabled ‘Virtual Shoppe Cards’ for privilege customers.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.