NIFT trains Irular women from Tiruvallur to weave their own success

CHENNAI: In a first, the tribal welfare department has partnered with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to train 50 Irular tribal women from Tiruvallur in pattern making and garment construction. Following the training, the department plans to establish a textile unit in Tiruvallur to aid them build their own brand, with NIFT providing support in marketing.

The women, hailing from Ponneri, Ellapuram and Kadambathur in Tiruvallur district, have already received tailoring training under the Mahalir Thittam scheme. While some have worked as daily wage labourers in garment factories, others remain unemployed. As the garment industry is irregular, they only get jobs when there is high demand, said officials.