The need for efficiently utilising the power of social media for empowerment, especially by weavers and the societies run by them, was highlighted at a workshop held at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Salem, Tamil Nadu, on July 16, 2017. The day-long workshop was organised jointly by the Weavers Service Centre (WSC) of the Union Ministry of Textiles and DEF for the benefit of the handloom weavers, handloom and handicrafts entrepreneurs, master weavers, craftsmen, members of weavers cooperative societies, members of the women self-help groups. As many as 80 people participated in this workshop.
The participants included artisans, designers, WSC staff, cluster development executives, cooperative society managers.
A similar workshop was organised the next day for 30 youth from weaver community in Manamedu village in Musiri town to demonstrate how artisans can leverage the Internet to sync traditional designs with contemporary demands, to access market and market information directly, and to earn a better livelihood. A third workshop in the series was organised on June 20 for 80 artisans, designers, WSC staff, cluster development executives, cooperative society managers in Panruti town of Cuddalore district. These workshops focused on the use of Internet for information; communication channels — including social media — for networking and marketing; and eCommerce for sales.