(FROM THE EDITOR: Mr. Partha Pratim Majumder has been associated with many of the skill development initiatives mounted by the Bengal Chamber. Thanks to his untiring efforts as the local representative of Raymond, the project sped away to fruition.)

In an unprecedented initiative taken up by BCC&I in strategic collaboration with the Department of Technical Education and Training, Govternment of West Bengal for bringing in a paradigm shift in the Apparel & Garments sector in WB by repositioning of skilled human capital needed for the same, Raymond Ltd., a household name regarded for trusted and quality fabric since 1925, signed a tripartite MoU with the Government of West Bengal and BCC&I on 14th February 2014. The objective of the MoU is for establishing “a few Centres of Excellence in tailoring to train 6800 top class tailors in 5 yrs.” The MoU was signed in the presence of Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister, other dignitaries like Smt. Mahasweta Devi, the renowned actor Shri Prosenjit Chatterjee and other dignitaries, amidst applause of thousands of common people present at Maati Utsav, Panagarh , Burdwan.

This industry-linked skill training project by such an industry major is presumed to be a landmark for business resurgence in Bengal having a cascading effect on the lives of its “Tailoring Community ” comprising of 3.6 lakh poor tailors (10% of the total number of tailors in India), with the majority from the minority community. The initiative is also expected to revive the dying trade of tailoring, which has been facing decadence in the deluge of readymade garments and branded apparels across the Indian market.

A survey by the Government of India reveals that by 2020, “Tailoring” will be the biggest sector (shortage of tailors is assessed to the tune of 1.5lakhs) after agriculture to provide job opportunities and open income generating avenues through entrepreneurship and self-help groups.

Being the second of three quintessential elements (Roti, Kaapda aur Makaan) of human life, Kaapda or Clothing and the related trade of stitching must survive with regained grandeur and sustainability, if leveraged with suitable technological interventions. More so, the demand will always be there for properly trained and qualified tailors from the new breed of fashion designers, multi brand fabric selling outlets, exporters of world class safety uniforms etc.

Having faith and belief in this line of thinking, the three stakeholders (BCC&I, Department of Technical Education and Training, Government of West Bengal and Raymond as their part of CSR activity with 725 own outlets in line) joined hands in the setting up of two training centres (at Jnan Ch. Ghosh Polytechnic Campus, Mominpur, Kolkata and Gems Jewelry Park, at Domjur in Howrah respectively) with learning opportunity (certified under NCVT, Govt. of India) and livelihood scope to minority, underprivileged youth and women.

BCC&I has thus set a precedence in presenting a "skill based growth template".