The Union Minister for Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smriti Zubin Irani has said that textile is not just an industry, but also a tradition and a legacy which we present to the world through the magic of India’s handcrafts and machines. Speaking about the success of the mega textiles event Textiles India 2017, the Minister said that Textiles India was an effort not only of the Government; she said that it was an effort of the entire industry that wanted to tell the world in one voice, “Come, Make in India”. She added that nothing better says Make in India than Textiles in India. The Minister said this after inaugurating the 6th Edition of the 4-day international textiles and apparel fair VASTRA 2017, in Jaipur today.The Minister said that this confidence in the textiles sector is bolstered by the recent high growth of FDI in the textiles sector. Recounting the success of the Integrated Skill Development Scheme, Smt. Irani also said that the success rate of placements of skilled workforce in textiles sector is now over 70%. She added that the Government continues to engage with the trainees even after placement to ensure that individuals are able to sustain work in their work chain for at least 6 months.The Textiles Minister expressed satisfaction regarding the inclusion of design and other workshops in VASTRA 2017. She added that the beauty and variety of the designs that we have had historically in our nation is something that the Indian textiles sector can and does leverage internationally.Smt. Irani said that in the growth of the textiles sector lies the growth of India and the growth of job opportunities. She said that the textiles sector provides direct employment to over 45 million people and indirectly impacts close to another 20 million households. She said that the Government of India has brought in Rs. 6,000 crore package specially aimed at providing support to the textiles, apparel and made-ups sectors.Highlighting the importance of the development of handloom weavers, Smt. Irani said that every weaver who has reaped the benefit of MUDRA Yojana has been able to increase his/her income by 60% - 70% within the first few months. She added that the textiles industry presents many opportunities and that one of the biggest needs is to ensure synergy between government and industry. She appealed to the Minister of Industries of Rajasthan to bring about more engagement with buyers and industries in technical textiles sector.Industries Minister, Government of Rajasthan Shri Rajpal Singh Shekhawat said that Rajasthan has a rich tradition of textiles and that after agriculture sector, textiles industry generated highest employment. He said that the state government is supplementing Central Government efforts for growth in the textile sector. He said that the state government is focusing on reforms and innovation and is committed towards hassle-free growth of the sector.