Venkatagiri weavers go hi-tech

Nellore: The efforts of handloom weavers of Venkatagiri taking to the social media to attract the world market are proving to be path-breaking. They are also taking up online trade in their efforts to create wonderful products, besides a new trend by launching Jundani work, thus to be in tune with the changing world.

• Venkatagiri.com being designed by local software engineer Rajaram will go online in two months
• Tech-savvy weavers secure geographical identification(GI)
• Using What’s App & e-mail facilities with the sole aim of extending better facilities

The weavers, who have secured geographical identification, are introducing new trends in preparing silk saris to attract new customers. They are selling the famous Venkatagiri sari online to earn much needed profits, thus utilising latest technology for their benefit.

The Venkatagiri weavers are all set to launch their website for propagating the popular brand. Venkatagiri.com being designed by local software engineer Rajaram and it will be a online in two months. This will enable women to choose their requirements sitting at home and place orders, say sari traders Muralidhar Reddy, Venkateswara Rao and Sivakumar.

The traders told the Hans India that the tech-savvy weavers have become adept at using their cell phones while knitting a sari taking its snap and securing orders from customers, so that the product suits their requirement. Once the sari is ready they are sending snaps through Whats App/e-mail to the customers. Once the design is approved they are securing orders, thus preventing the need for customers to visit Venkatagiri.

Thanks to the adoption of the latest technology their business is thriving. The weavers are also obliging their regular buyers, including many women, who have become permanent customers taking a liking for Venkatagiri saris. These women are also being sent samples through What’s App and e-mail with the sole aim of extending better facilities.

There are over 3,000 looms in Venkatagiri making 50,000 saris every month, yielding crores of revenue to the weavers. Master weavers, mini-master weavers and shop-keepers selling silk saris, purchase saris made by workers for the benefit of customers from across the country and abroad.

Local sari traders in their eagerness to oblige big buyers don’t hesitate to become good hosts, providing various facilities, including stay. These traders and their representatives also go round various towns in the country with a variety of sari designs for securing orders.