The recent Bharat Tex 2025 (Feb 12-17) concluded with a resounding call for sustainability in the Indian textile industry. The Sustainability Fashion Awards by CITI, held during the closing ceremony, served as a powerful platform to acknowledge those leading the charge towards ethical and environmentally conscious practices. The awards, themed "Innovation Meets Responsibility," underscored the industry's growing commitment to a greener future.
Yogesh Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, emphasized the event's alignment with the Prime Minister's vision for the industry. "This year's theme, 'Innovation Meets Responsibility,' resonates deeply with the industry's commitment to both progress and ethical practices," Kansal stated, stressing the importance of respecting India's rich heritage and connection to nature. "Recognizing leaders in sustainability will inspire others to embrace the challenges and opportunities this paradigm shift presents."
Kansal acknowledged the challenges faced by MSMEs, but also highlighted the immense opportunities that sustainability unlocks. He envisioned India as a global leader in sustainable textile production, leveraging its strengths across the value chain. "India is poised to recognize its potential as a leading manufacturer that balances scale with sustainability, diversity, and responsible practices," he declared.
Rakesh Mehra, Chairman, CITI, echoed this sentiment. "We are looking at sustainability as something which is very important in the days to come," he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of circularity, sustainability, and traceability. Mehra also acknowledged the contributions of industry veterans, stating, "Today, we are going to reward our seniors who have been with us for a long time. They have led the path and made it good enough for all of us to be here today."
Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, reiterated the Prime Minister's target to triple the size of the textile industry by 2030. "You are the stakeholders," she said. "We are on this journey to make our textile industry of India, come to India." Margherita highlighted the importance of responsible practices. "Consumers, governments, and businesses are looking for responsible and ethical practices. And we must not only meet this expectation, but lead this transformation." She emphasized that circularity and sustainability are integral to Indian culture. "Circularity is sustainability is an integral part of our Indian culture and heritage that we have been practicing for centuries," she declared.
Prajakta Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, discussed the growing recognition of sustainability within the sector. "Sustainability is now getting universally recognized in the industry," she observed. Verma highlighted the evolution of the Sustainability Pavilion at Bharat Tex, expanding its focus beyond waste and recycling to include natural dyes and other innovations. She emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. "Sustainability and circularity will require constant thinking, rethinking, and constant innovation, which cannot happen without collaboration," she stated.
Mukesh Gulati, Ex VP-FMC, discussed the importance of recognizing industry associations for their work in promoting sustainability. "This is the first time that we have partnered with a sector specific organization called CITI to make sure that those who have done tremendously good work in this area are recognized for their work," Gulati said. He acknowledged the textile industry's significant contribution to carbon emissions and the corresponding responsibility to address the issue. "Our responsibility is certainly far more than the other sectors that are there," he emphasized.
The Sustainability Fashion Awards by CITI at Bharat Tex 2025 served as both a celebration of achievements and a call to action. The event underscored the Indian textile industry's commitment to a sustainable future and highlighted India's potential to become a global leader in responsible textile production. It reinforced the crucial message that innovation and responsibility must be intertwined as the industry forges its path towards future growth.
