Anant Ahuja, Director ESG & Sustainability at Shahi Exports & CEO and Co-founder at Good Business Lab, and Andrea M. Wojnar, Representative for UNFPA India and Country Director for Bhutan, sealed the commitment at a ceremony held at the UN House in New Delhi.

A Strategic Investment in Workforce Resilience

This partnership marks our formal commitment to integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) into our business policies and practices. It’s a declaration that investing in women’s reproductive health is a smart business decision that boosts workforce resilience, productivity, and gender equality.

The Coalition, a multi-stakeholder platform led by UNFPA, aims to mainstream the SRHR agenda within the private sector globally.

Anant Ahuja commented on the significance of the agreement: 

“Joining the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business is a great moment for us. This MoU reflects a core belief we hold: that the health, dignity, and autonomy of our women employees are fundamental to our success. We are excited to collaborate with UNFPA India to set a new standard for corporate responsibility and advance women across our workforce and the value chain.”

UNFPA on the Role of the Private Sector

The private sector, as one of the world’s largest economic forces, is uniquely positioned to drive positive social change through inclusive policies.

Andrea M. Wojnar highlighted the collaboration:

“The integration of women’s health and rights into corporate strategy is crucial for achieving gender equality and unlocking economic potential. Shahi’s commitment as a champion demonstrates forward-thinking leadership that directly addresses the barriers women face. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to drive measurable impact on critical areas like menstrual health, gender-based violence prevention, and access to comprehensive reproductive health information.”

Key Commitments Under the Partnership

As a champion of the Coalition, Shahi will undertake concrete actions, focusing on:

• Policy Advancement: Implementing enhanced, family-friendly policies related to menstrual health, maternity and parental support, and flexible working arrangements.
• Health Access: Working towards providing information and access to comprehensive reproductive health services and support.
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Strengthening workplace mechanisms and zero-tolerance policies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harassment.
• Measurement: Utilizing the framework to track, report, and continuously improve performance on SRHR indicators within the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

Shahi is committed to fostering a supportive, stigma-free environment. The goal is to enable every employee to exercise their right to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and futures.

About Shahi Exports: Shahi is India’s largest apparel manufacturer and exporter. The company operates more than 50 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across 8 Indian states. It has a diverse workforce of nearly 100,000 people. Their vertically integrated operations, diversified product range, and strong commitment to ethical operations and environmental sustainability have established Shahi as one of the most preferred garment manufacturers in the world.

About UNFPA India: UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. UNFPA has been partnering with India for over 50 years, ensuring rights and choices for all and helping build a future where every woman and young person can thrive.

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Mrs. Sarla Ahuja (Didi Ji) often recalls how her younger child was so spirited and full of energy that she decided to start working from home to balance her responsibilities as a mother and a professional. In the 1970s, women’s participation in the economy was largely confined to agriculture and the informal sector. During this time, Mrs. Sarla stepped into the unfamiliar world of exports. It was a time of protectionist policies, and the idea of “working from home” was hardly imagined. She made a choice that was born out of care and necessity. It soon became the first stitch in the fabric of what would grow into one of India’s largest apparel manufacturers, Shahi.

A New Kind of Beginning

The India of 1974 was a time of transition, when women’s voices in business were still rare and often overlooked. Opportunities were limited, but so was the fear of trying.

Sarla Ji’s curiosity, determination, and willingness to think differently laid the foundation for something much larger than herself. It began as a personal venture and soon evolved into a platform for thousands of women to earn a livelihood, gain confidence, and redefine what leadership looks like in the textile industry.

Capturing Five Decades of Purpose

Fifty years later, that spark remains a defining part of us.

To commemorate this extraordinary journey, we are proud to launch ‘The Spark: 50 Years of Shahi’. The book is a visual and emotional chronicle that captures the essence of who we are and how we came to be.

The Spark retraces the beginnings of a small homegrown enterprise and follows its evolution into India’s largest apparel manufacturer. Inside, you get a peek into rare photographs, personal reflections, and memories from the people who built Shahi. It tells the story of a company that has always been shaped by its people. Their skills and ideas drove its success. Their persistence and dedication kept it growing. 

The Story of a Generation, and Many More

The pages echo the voices of those who have been part of Shahi for decades. They hold the spirit of people who joined as young trainees and today lead teams of hundreds. Their stories of grit, innovation, and belonging remind us that progress never happens overnight. People build it slowly, stitching it together, one thread, one milestone, one person at a time.

This is more than a record of our history. It is a shared reflection, a chance for each of us, across eight states, to see ourselves in a story larger than our own.

A Book That Belongs to Everyone

The book is, at its heart, a collective memory and a bridge across time, departments, and generations.

Whether you have been part of Shahi for years or just joined, you’ll find the pages peppered with something familiar. They tell a story of perseverance, people, and purpose.

Today, we launch the book as both a tribute and an invitation. It asks us to remember where we began and to carry forward the same spirit and intent that started it all.

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Insights from Speaking Engagements in 2025

At Shahi, we believe in sharing our experiences and learning with all the stakeholders in the fashion industry and beyond. This is an ongoing post to share insights from our speaking engagements in 2025. Read insights from previous years’ engagements: 2024 | 2023.

21 September | New York Climate Week 2025

Anant Ahuja, Director of ESG and Sustainability, joined a session at New York Climate Week, organized by Economic Impact. The discussion brought together global industry voices to explore pressing challenges and opportunities in climate action. Anant contributed perspectives from the supply chain, sharing insights from Shahi’s ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into manufacturing.

10 September | Launch of CITI’s Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB) in India

At the ITSB launch organized by CITI, Mr. Rajneesh Rai, AVP, Environmental Sustainability, joined a panel exploring the role of ESG in transforming India’s textile sector. He emphasized the importance of digital platforms, regular training, and knowledge-sharing to improve factory-level data on water, energy, emissions, and recycling. He also shared that reliable ESG data can support regulatory compliance, enable benchmarking, and inform more strategic sustainability planning. His remarks highlighted that better transparency starts with better tools and capacity for those collecting and using the data.

2 September | 2nd FICCI India Manufacturing Leadership Forum

Anant Ahuja participated in the “Ease of Doing Business for Viksit Bharat” roundtable discussion, focusing on how sustainability fits into India’s manufacturing growth story. He shared Shahi’s perspective on integrating social and environmental metrics into industrial policy. The discussion focused on how transparency, digital infrastructure, and workforce readiness can position India’s manufacturing sector as globally competitive and equitable. Anant emphasized that a future-ready industrial ecosystem must ensure that efficiency is aligned with inclusion and responsibility.

06 August | Brand Supplier Summit

At Tesco’s Brand Supplier Summit, Chitra Prasad, Senior General Manager, Organizational Development, shared how Shahi has built gender equity over the past 15 years. On the “Gender Ambition” panel, she described how the team created safe, inclusive workplaces, increased women’s representation in committees, and strengthened leadership pathways across levels. Drawing on the ‘Responsible For framework’, she explained how Shahi designed systems that move beyond compliance and support long-term change. She emphasized that advancing gender equity means continuously investing in structures that reflect women’s lived experiences and unlock their leadership potential.

29 July | Women in Manufacturing – Lead with Equity Summit

Deepak Rautela, Assistant Vice President, Organizational Development, joined the “Built to Include: Gender Equity in Indian Manufacturing” Panel hosted by Good Business Lab and EquiLead. He shared how Shahi is embedding gender goals into governance through internal policies, ESG assessments, and a culture of accountability. He outlined our ESG monitoring systems, including scoring frameworks to track progress, and explained how they would be utilized. His insights reflected that meaningful equity work relies on strong internal systems that translate commitments into measurable outcomes and ensure continuous improvement.

22 July | Unlocking Investor Action for a Just Transition in India’s Fashion Sector

Gauri Sharma, General Manager, ESG and Innovation, participated in the “Thread to Transformation” panel in New Delhi, hosted by the Impact Investors Council and the Impact Investing Institute. She emphasized the importance of investors collaborating closely with supply chain partners to understand the on-the-ground realities. Her discussion explored how climate finance and circularity strategies must prioritize worker rights, supplier viability, and local economic resilience. The discussion highlighted the importance of designing investment models that support decarbonization while ensuring that no one is left behind.

24 June | Innovation Forum Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA

At the Innovation Forum in the US, Anant Ahuja joined the “Supplier Spotlight” session to speak about reimagining supplier relationships. He stressed the importance of long-term partnerships based on shared goals, co-investment, and responsible purchasing practices. Anant brought up ‘pilot fatigue’ and emphasized the need for scalable, context-aware solutions. He highlighted that sustainability in global supply chains can only be achieved when suppliers are treated as strategic partners and included early in the design of any initiative.

17 June |  Launch of report on Women’s Advancement by RISE

Chitra Prasad, Senior General Manager, Organizational Development, represented Shahi at the launch of a new report by Reimagining Industry to Support Equity (RISE). The report is titled “Shifting perspectives to accelerate women’s advancement and leadership in the garment, footwear and textiles industry – How international buyers and suppliers can take collaborative action”. Chitra spoke as part of the panel and reflected on why advancing women’s leadership in supply chains is a strategic priority for Shahi. She outlined how Shahi has integrated this focus into its core through initiatives such as Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E., EWASE, and STITCH. She shared how these programs have contributed to measurable business outcomes. This includes higher retention, improved productivity, and increased representation of women in supervisory roles. Drawing on both experience and data, she emphasized the importance of moving beyond transactional approaches. She advocated for shared-risk models that enable long-term investment in equitable and resilient supply chains.

04 June | SXSW London 2025 

Anant Ahuja, Director of ESG and Sustainability, participated in the panel “Circular Fashion: Can the Dream Become Reality?” He addressed the realities of scaling circular practices in mass fashion supply chains. He noted that some practices, like water recycling and waste reuse, are already in place. However, material circularity remains limited due to technological maturity, cost, and infrastructure. He also spoke about key barriers to adoption, including the disconnect between R&D and sourcing teams. He emphasized that shifting supplier-buyer relationships from transactional to collaborative is essential.

29 May | Hurun Philanthropy Summit 2025

Anant Ahuja joined a discussion on the panel ‘Philanthropy 3.0 – From Legacy to Leadership in a Digital Age’. It was a cross-sector discussion on how giving is being redefined.

15 May | Apparel Connect 2025

At the 8th edition of Apparel Connect, Sailendra Venkata Banda, General Manager – Logistics at Shahi, joined India’s leading apparel logistics forum. He shared his perspective on strengthening apparel logistics for a global scale. He spoke on a panel hosted by Cargo Connect where he discussed how supply chain resilience, real-time visibility, and technology integration are becoming essential for competitiveness. 

15 May | UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Launch

UNFPA brought together companies from across the region at the launch of The Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business. The group discussed how businesses can embed reproductive rights in the workplace. Anant Ahuja was invited to address the gathering virtually. He showcased Shahi’s work towards improving the health and well-being of our workforce and designing tailored interventions for women employees for a better workplace.

05 May | UNFPA & Essity Nordic Roundtable

At the roundtable discussion titled “Business: Mobilizing the Nordic Private Sector for Women’s Health and Rights at Work”, Anant Ahuja spoke about Shahi’s workplace menstrual health initiative, Project Pravah. He explained how the program improves access, availability, and awareness for over 70,000 women workers. He also shared the results of the UNFPA Return-on-Investment Tool, developed with Good Business Lab (GBL). The program led to a 21 percent reduction in absenteeism, with a projected return of $2.90 for every $1 invested. This highlights that investments in well-being can improve work-life and create measurable business value.

03 March | Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY)

Anant Ahuja, Director of ESG and Sustainability, spoke at the session Unlocking Brand-Supplier Collaboration to Accelerate Decarbonization in the Fashion Industry, organized by the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY).

He discussed the financial barriers suppliers face in adopting decarbonization technologies and the role of brands in overcoming these challenges. The session explored how brands can align incentives to reward sustainability performance over cost and speed. These should consider he intersection of environmental sustainability and employment conditions. He also talked about Shahi’s learnings on the most effective strategies for scaling decarbonization efforts across supplier networks.

27 February | Dasra Philanthropy Week

Anant Ahuja participated in a spotlight session organized by Dasra, speaking on The Power of Business to Drive Change.
His talk focused on how businesses, particularly in supply chains, can play a transformative role in social impact, just as they do in environmental sustainability. He spoke of approaches to worker well-being and gender equity. He highlighted the potential for businesses to drive systemic change through research-backed initiatives. He also highlighted Shahi’s collaborations in worker retention programs and gender-focused workplace interventions.

14-16 February | Bharat Tex 2025

Harish Ahuja, Managing Director and Chairperson, spoke at Scaling Up Textile Manufacturing in India: Grabbing Opportunities, Addressing Challenges, organized by KPMG.

He discussed India’s strong banking system, the importance of vertical integration, and the role of MSME support in driving the country’s manufacturing growth.

Anant Ahuja spoke at the India: A Global Circularity Hub – Developing and Scaling Post-Consumer Textile Waste Management session organized by Laudes India.
He emphasized the importance of circularity for India and shared Shahi’s efforts in waste circularity. These include: upcycling, waste segregation, training, and compliance measures. Anant also discussed the role of various stakeholders in advancing circularity and effective waste management in the industry.

He also participated in Fashioning the Future Through Collaborative Sustainable Practices, organized by NIFT Delhi

He addressed the need for collaboration between manufacturers and brands to advance sustainability in the textile industry. His session covered decarbonization efforts and workplace interventions necessary for a sustainable future.

24 January | World Economic Forum (Side Event by UNFPA)

Anant Ahuja participated in the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business side event at the World Economic Forum, co-hosted by UNFPA, Essity, Ferring, Bayer, and Amref Health.

He shared Shahi’s holistic approach to supporting women employees, inspired by Shahi’s founder, Mrs. Sarla Ahuja. Some of the key initiatives include Project Pravah, which has reduced absenteeism by 21%. Other interventions like on-site creches, flexible work schedules, and the Shahi Soukyam maternal health program. Anant stressed the business case for investing in women’s health and well-being, stressing how these initiatives drive both social impact and operational efficiency.

24 January | CAIF Enterprise Bootcamp

Gauri Sharma, General Manager, ESG and Innovation, represented Shahi at the CAIF Enterprise Bootcamp, organized by the Circular Apparel Innovation Factory.

Her session focused on Shahi’s ‘Responsible For’ framework, efforts in decarbonization, digitization, traceability, and next-gen recycled materials.

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Read: Fashion for Good And Altmat To Accelerate Adoption of Next-gen Fibres Through Altag® Fibre Club.

The Altag® Fibre Club aims to overcome systemic barriers that hinder the widespread integration of sustainable materials. Challenges include limited production capacity, premium pricing, and fragmented supply chains. The collaborative consortium facilitates seamless integration and provides brands with early access to AltMat’s groundbreaking Altag® fibres. This helps secure supply terms and streamlines processes.

The Altag® Fibre Club partners include: Adalberto, Alok, Arvind, Bhaskar Denim, Jindal Textiles, Maharaja Shree Umaid Mills, Ltd, Positive Materials, Sambandam Spinning Mills Limited, Shahi Exports, Sutlej Textiles, Sweaters India and Industries Limited, and Vrijesh Natural Fibre & Fabrics (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Driving long-term partnerships for change

This initiative marks a significant step forward in our 4-year partnership with AltMat. As a value chain partner, Shahi gains priority access to Altag® yarns. We also play a crucial role in co-developing fabrics with their global network of innovative customers. This collaboration furthers our commitment to fast-track material innovation, enabling it to offer cutting-edge sustainable solutions to brands seeking to reduce their environmental footprint.

The consortium is dedicated to collectively overcoming key adoption barriers, particularly in scalability and cost competitiveness for next-gen materials. The club provides access to sustainable material libraries and aims to distribute costs through shared investment. It, therefore, reduces upfront financial burdens for its members.

We’re excited to leverage our vertically integrated setup to collaborate with brand partners and integrate Altag®’s innovative agri-waste Fibres into scalable textile production. 

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To understand the sector’s unique challenges, the Foundation for Economic Development (FED) conducted a comprehensive case study. The study focused on Shahi Exports, India’s largest apparel manufacturer. FED is an organization focused on promoting sustainable economic growth through research, data-driven insights, and strategic partnerships. It aims to provide key stakeholders with the knowledge needed to address challenges and support development across industries. Shahi’s 50-year journey provides a valuable perspective on both the opportunities and challenges within the Indian textile industry.  

FED’s Analysis of Shahi and its Manufacturing Roadmap

In the case study, ‘Shahi Exports: Stitching India’s Manufacturing Success,’ FED examines Shahi’s history, evolution, and strategies for navigating India’s manufacturing challenges. Shahi’s rapid and sustained growth, high employment rates, and prominent presence in this labor-intensive industry made it a focal case. 

FED’s study highlights the challenges that limit India’s ability to leverage its demographic dividend in manufacturing. These include a strict and complex regulatory framework, lengthy compliance management, customs and trade barriers, and logistical constraints from a highly fragmented textile supply chain. Such factors make it difficult for large-scale manufacturers to thrive. FED’s study examines Shahi’s journey and the factors contributing to its growth. From a small home operation with fewer than 15 employees, Shahi has grown into a major employer. Today, it supports over 100,000 individuals, 70% of whom are women. Shahi’s emphasis on leadership management, high operational efficiency, and a commitment to people and the planet have stood out in FED’s analysis. Here are the identified practices that have driven growth:

• Professional Management in leadership and decision-making
• Operational Efficiency through Vertical Integration
• Scaling operations across 8 Indian states
• Worker-centric policies catering to career, health, and skill development

Industry-Research Collaboration and Actionable Insights

The FED study offers a comprehensive view of the industry’s unique challenges, comparing India with competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh. It is a combination of academic and industry perspectives, bringing structured methodology and actionable solutions. 

This study also serves as a reminder of the importance of industry partnerships. These partnerships lay a foundation for targeted actions that stakeholders can implement effectively. Building on these insights, the analysis provides a more holistic view of the opportunities that need the synergy of stakeholders across the private and public sectors. Key enabling conditions and ethical business practices can propel the Indian apparel and textile industry towards sustainable growth. To get a holistic view of the study’s insights, read the case study here.

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Founded by Mrs Sarla Ahuja in 1974 from a small home set-up, Shahi has grown to become one of the world’s most trusted apparel manufacturers. Today, Shahi has over fifty factories across eight Indian states and 80% vertical integration of the garment-making process. 

Crafting a New Identity

The brand refresh introduces a new visual identity encapsulating Shahi’s spirit and persona. The new logo features a gradient color palette, shifting from teal to purple, and symbolizes clarity, stability, and wisdom. The spark on the “i” is a testament to its commitment to excellence and a zeal for innovation. 

The new tagline, “Manufacturing with a purpose,” is a nod to the depth of purpose that has been Shahi’s North Star for the last 50 years.

The refined mission statement reads, “We are a one-stop manufacturing destination that invests in people and the planet. Our story goes beyond just fashion – we champion ethical practices, empower our employees, and drive sustainable innovation in the global apparel and textile industry.” 

Harish Ahuja, Managing Director and Chairperson of Shahi Exports, shared,

“As a brand, for 50 years Shahi has been tirelessly committed to building and maintaining the trust of everyone who we work with. With an uncompromising dedication towards the quality of product and service, we have been lucky to have gained a globally trusted position as an ethical apparel manufacturer. In celebration of our milestone 50 years, this rebranding is a testament to our journey and commitment to sustainable fashion. We are proud to say that our new brand identity captures and reflects our values and our vision for the future.”

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The production line is set to be fully operational by the end of this year, boasting an impressive initial production capacity of 500 tons per month. This capacity is slated to double in the future, reaching an ambitious 1000 tons per month.

Mr. Ramalingam T, CEO, Knits Division at Shahi Exports, said,

“This is an important step for us to expand our footprint and focus on enhancing our product portfolio. Our partnership with Little King Global is not just a venture but a commitment to our customers, assuring them access to the very best in class when it comes to synthetic fabrics. Our goal is continual improvement and relentless focus on product development as we continue growing and increasing the scale of operations. We also aim to contribute toward boosting employment generation across the country.” 

With technology and expertise directly from Little King Global, a company revered for over four decades of experience and accredited by major sportswear brands, the Shimoga facility is poised to set a new benchmark in fabric manufacturing. Little King Global’s innovative prowess is renowned, with its flagship innovation center in Taiwan emphasizing relentless advancement, from fibers and yarns to varied knitting and processing techniques.

Mr. Bruce Liao, Vice President, Little King Global, said,

“Our mission is to be a world-class partner in supplying sustainable, functional fabrics for brand customers. Shahi is well known for its ESG framework, worker well-being initiatives, and innovation in the textile and apparel industry. With the global supply chain shift and the rise of India’s manufacturing trend, we should leverage the best resources from advanced technologies, economical production, and talent for our Shimoga plant. Once the plant is operational, we will offer recycled, responsive, and resilient services for our valued customers.”

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The partnership furthers the joint vision of both organizations, creating a sustainable and direct employment pathway for the most disadvantaged and at-risk women in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The pilot program launched here in Odisha intends to train, educate, and prepare women from disadvantaged communities with limited access to stable employment. Upon completion of the training, the participants will be offered job opportunities at Shahi – India’s largest manufacturer and exporter of ready-made garments. 

Anant Ahuja, Head of Organizational Development at Shahi Exports, said, “We are delighted to partner with Know Me India Trust to create this opportunity for women from disadvantaged communities. Our company is built on the foundation of empowerment of women and a spirit to contribute towards the development of communities in which we operate. This partnership is aligned with our efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods, fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, and provide opportunities for women to become financially independent.”

Data suggest that about eight million people in India are trapped in human trafficking. The number of persons trafficked for forced labor in India is 20 to 65 million. And 90% of the trafficking occurs domestically, intrastate, or interstate. The joint initiative by Shahi Exports and KMIT is particularly significant in this context as it seeks to support vulnerable and at-risk women against poverty and human trafficking by supporting them in providing training and livelihood.

Supei Liu, Program and Development Board Advisor to KMIT, said, “We believe that sustainable employment is one of the most effective ways to prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals and re-exploitation of survivors of human trafficking and other forms of slavery. Our partnership with Shahi aims to address this and help at-risk women achieve economic agency and mobility. We are sure that quality training, stable incomes, and a safe work environment will provide women with opportunities to acquire the skills and access the resources they need to achieve economic independence, dignity, and freedom.

The project will ensure that 100% of the vulnerable and at-risk women going through the program will experience a 65% increase in income and sustain this growth over the next two years. KMIT is set to take on the challenge of supporting the women in the Swabhimaan program in achieving economic security while successfully breaking the cycle of exploitation and human trafficking.

KMIT works in communities with some of the highest incidences of both labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), where women and girls are economically marginalized due to poverty, caste discrimination, gender inequality, and low capacity to resist economic shocks. 

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Nevertheless, internal migration in India is rife with challenges. Much of these can be addressed at the origination itself— that is, the transition period when migrants move from their hometowns all the way until they settle in a new place.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), on 30th September 2022, signed an MoU with Shahi Exports to support and assist migrant workers through the institutional framework of a Migrant Support Centre (MSC). Shahi Exports, India’s largest apparel manufacturer, has been running the MSC for migrants working in various industries across Bengaluru since 2021. Currently, it serves nearly 4,000 migrants. Under this partnership, IOM will provide technical and advisory support to strengthen and operationalize the Shahi-run MSC in Bengaluru. IOM will assist Good Business Lab (GBL) –  a not-for-profit labor innovation organization, to understand the issues faced by interstate and intrastate migrant workers in an urban setting and empower migrant workers and improve all aspects of their welfare–  working conditions, access to legal entitlements, social security, health, education, and vocational skills. GBL came on board as the project’s design partner, conducting visits to existing MSCs to understand the provisions of specific services and if there exist any disconnects between migrant experiences and support offered by centers. 

IOM’s Head of Office, Sanjay Awasthi, observed that such a collaboration would leverage the strengths of multiple stakeholders across the supply chain to achieve the envisioned benefits not only for the migrant workers and their employers but towards the social and economic development of migrants’ source and destination states, and ultimately India as a whole. To mitigate these risks and to intensify the socio-economic benefits of internal migration, it is imperative that supply chain partners play a role in ensuring the welfare of migrant workers. 

Migrant workers are also particularly vulnerable to disasters and crises, as evidenced by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Shahi Export’s MSC evolved out of COVID-19 relief efforts conducted by Shahi Exports, such as facilitating vaccination drives, free phone consultancy with ophthalmologists, information services on preventative measures, availability of transport, and providing food rations to migrant workers. 

“The MSC provided shelter, utility support, medical aid, financial, legal literacy, and toll-free redressal numbers to resolve issues migrants face in the garment industry and other sectors. We gained valuable feedback from the beneficiaries of the center to help us, and the learnings from our first effort make us confident to scale MSC up to reach 10,000 migrants by 2025. Our multi-stakeholder partnership with IOM will leverage their global perspective and combine it with the knowledge of on-ground partners, including state government wings like Odisha Rural Development And Marketing Society (ORMAS), to achieve a model that can give migrants the support they need in a new city or town.”

IOM has provided technical support for the establishment and functioning of several such centers for migrants throughout the world.“These centers (also known as Migrant Resource Centres) serve as a source of information and support to migrants at either their destination or source locations and further promote greater social inclusion and interaction. The partnership between IOM and Shahi would continue to work with other institutionalized stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental) directly or indirectly engaged in the facilitation of migration-related issues to ensure safe and secure mobility of migrant workers.” 

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The Shahi Industry 4.0 Chair for apparel manufacturing was established at NIFT to build a robust relationship between the industry and academia.  It aims to facilitate research in emerging technologies that disrupt the apparel manufacturing sector. The potential area of study must fall under Industry 4.0. Each of these projects will result in a detailed document including the final design and technical specifications and a model or prototype or software. 

What is Industry 4.0?

Global production and supply networks are undergoing fundamental shifts through increased automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern innovative technology, large-scale machine-to-machine communication (M2M), and the internet of things (IoT). This integration increases automation, improves communication and self-monitoring, and uses intelligent machines that can analyze and diagnose issues without human intervention.

The phrase ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ was first introduced by a team of scientists developing a high-tech strategy for the German government. Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), introduced the phrase to a broader audience in a 2015 article published by Foreign Affairs*. 

Who is eligible?

Students in the final or penultimate year of B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech from any recognized institute.

Candidates should have a good grasp of industrial vision systems, electronics, microcontrollers, electronic actuators, encoders, power transmission systems, motors, and basic pneumatics. 

The scholarship will be for a period of 4-6 months, starting January 2022. Selected candidates will receive the scholarship as a monthly stipend of ₹15,000-20,000.

Deadline

The interim deadline for all applications is 5th January 2022, and applications close by 10th January 2022.

What do you need to apply?

1. 10+2 Board Examination Marksheets
2. CPI/CGPA until the most recent semester
3. Academic and professional credentials (share the URL of a maximum of two platforms like ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Linkedin, or a resume.)
4. Tell us about your experience or courses you have taken that are relevant to Industry 4.0 technology.
5. You will be asked to ideate over a challenge statement. Give us an overview of how you would solve it.
6. Tell us about any courses or topics you have studied that help address the challenge.

To apply, visit www.nift.ac.in/scholarshipsfellowships.

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 *Schwab, Klaus (12 December 2015). “The Fourth Industrial Revolution”. Retrieved 15 January 2019.

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