Describe the significance of Textile Industry in India with specific reference to Cotton industry.
Answers
The Cotton Textile Industry is not a basic industry like iron and steel industry but it forms the largest single industry in India. Every year the Cotton Textile Industry produces 30% – 35%` of the total industrial products in the country.
In a developing country like India, the Cotton Textile Industry is very important, for it has to meet the demand for clothes of the Indians and exports too. The Cotton Textile Industry contributes nearly 30% of the value of exports, and employs more than 55 million labors. Some parts of India, viz., western and southern region are largely dependent on this industry. Besides, many people are engaged in either cotton production, or the garment industry, many factories produce the machines required for the cotton textile industry etc. Thus the Cotton Textile Industry is very important to India’s economy, directly or indirectly.
The Cotton Textile Industry is a very important industry in India. The modern Cotton Textile Industry started in India in 1818 at Ghusuri near Kolkata but it closed down shortly due to shortage of raw materials. It really started in 1859 at Mumbai when a textile mill was set up producing cotton cloth. In 1905 the Swadeshi Movement caused foreign cotton textiles to be boycotted so the Indian Textile Industry developed. After Independence to Cotton Textile Industry improved more rapidly with Government co-operatio
The textile industry has a unique status in the economy of India. It is the second largest sector after ag-riculture, which provides employment to a vast population. This industry is not new in India; the roots of the cotton textile industry can be seen in the 18th century. The 18th century was the time when spin-ning and handloom weaving methods were popular in India. However, this industry faced many set-backs after industrialization, as the machine manufactured clothes became cheap. Though colonial rulers adopted various measures to sell their machine-made clothes, Indians preferred hand spun clothes.
At present India have around 1600 cotton mills and handmade fiber textile manufactories. The textile industry is linked with other industries such as chemical, dyes, packaging industry, through its connec-tion with other industries it provides employment to a large section of the Indian population. The textile industry, particularly the cotton industry has worked as a revenue generator for government. India made cotton goods are exported to the United States, France and Russia etc.