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 In a significant step towards empowering women-led handloom enterprises and revitalising the traditional handloom sector in Tripura, the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership marks an important step towards transforming the traditional handloom sector into a sustainable, market-oriented livelihood ecosystem.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Shri Abhishek Singh, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government of Tripura, and Prof. A. K. Sharma, Head of the Department of Design, IIT Roorkee. The agreement was signed by Shri Tarit Kanti Chakma, Chief Executive Officer, TRLM, and Prof. Bibhuti Ranjan Bhattacharya of the Department of Design, IIT Roorkee. The three-year partnership aims to empower 500 women weavers belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across North Tripura, Unakoti and Dhalai districts. It will integrate technology, design innovation, skill development, branding, entrepreneurship and access to digital markets.

On the occasion, Shri Abhishek Singh highlighted the importance of taking research and innovation beyond laboratories and ensuring their effective translation into solutions that benefit communities. He emphasised the need for applied research under the ‘Lab-to-Field’ approach to address real-world challenges and make a meaningful contribution to social development.

 

Prof. A. K. Sharma outlined IIT Roorkee’s vision of creating meaningful and sustainable impact through developmental initiatives and engagement with communities. He emphasised the role of design, technology and multidisciplinary knowledge in promoting sustainable rural development and strengthening livelihoods.

Shri Tarit Kanti Chakma highlighted TRLM’s initiatives to collaborate with reputed academic and technical institutions to bring knowledge, technology and innovation to rural communities. He stressed the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships to create new opportunities at the grassroots level and improve livelihoods.

The collaboration will combine IIT Roorkee’s expertise in design, technology and innovation with TRLM’s extensive network of rural communities and women-led Self-Help Groups. By integrating traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and business practices, the initiative aims to enhance productivity, add value to products and improve market access. It will also promote women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and better income opportunities through design-led and technology-enabled interventions, while developing a robust handloom value chain.

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Prof. Saurav Arora, Prof. Kalpak K. Kulkarni, and TRLM officials representing various districts of Tripura. The partnership reinforces the shared commitment of IIT Roorkee and TRLM to inclusive innovation, women-led entrepreneurship and sustainable rural development. Through design-driven innovation and enterprise development, the initiative will create new opportunities to connect Tripura’s rich handloom heritage with contemporary markets.

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