Hyderabad: In a gesture of admiration and support, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, along with First Lady Sudha Dev Varma, visited the famed weaving village of Pochampally on Thursday, commending the local artisans for their unwavering commitment to keeping Telangana’s handloom tradition alive.
Strolling through the lanes of Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district, the Governor engaged with weavers in their homes, listening closely to their stories and acknowledging their role in safeguarding a centuries-old craft. He lauded the State’s initiatives aimed at uplifting the community, distributing assistance under the Nethanna Bima and Nethanna Podupu schemes, which provide vital social and financial support.
Heartened by a direct request from the community, the Governor announced the establishment of a computer lab at the Government Junior College in Pochampally, aimed at bridging the digital divide and opening up fresh educational avenues for local youth.
Signalling a major push towards innovation in the sector, he revealed that IIT Hyderabad and NID Ahmedabad will undertake a comprehensive study to integrate modern technology and design into the weaving process. The focus, he said, would be on reducing physical strain for artisans, improving product quality, and enhancing market access.
The visit also took the Governor to the Pochampally Tourism Park, where he underlined the potential of rural handloom-based tourism to both preserve cultural heritage and create sustainable income for artisans.
Governor Varma was accompanied by key officials including Shailaja Ramaiyer, Principal Secretary for Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, District Collector M. Hanumantha Rao, Joint Secretary to the Governor J. Bhavani Shankar, and Deputy Secretary G. Pallavi.
— Jishnu Dev Varma (@Jishnu_Devvarma) June 12, 2025