Weaved QR code, logo to authenticate purity of handloom Banarasi sarees
VARANASI : A weaved QR code containing details of a saree, handloom mark logo and geographical indications (GI) logo will now authenticate purity of handloom Banarasi sarees. This has become a reality as a research team at the mechanical engineering department (industrial management), Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IITBHU), has developed a new technique that has an inbuilt QR code.
According to the IIT-BHU researchers, the new technique will also give confidence to customers to pick the right handloom saree and curb the misuse of the handloom and its products.
Dr Prabhash Bhardwaj, professor, mechanical engineering, and head of the two-member research team, said the Varanasi handloom industry has to adopt modern approaches.
At present, most of the customers are having mobile phones. With the initiation of the digital India campaign, people are getting more used to technology.
“According to the study conducted by my research scholar M Krishna Prasanna Naik in Varanasi, there are huge potential for incorporating IT-based applications in this industry. At present, our research team came up with QR code technology and logos weaving on saree,” he said.
“The manufacturer can weave the QR code on saree with details of his own firm and manufacturing. Whenever, customers want to know about a product, they have to use the scanner in their mobiles to know about it.
They will get all details entered in the QR code, like place of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, etc. These measures will create confidence in customers and will increase sales,” Bhardwaj added.
Research scholar M Krishna Prasanna Naik said QR code design containing all details about a saree was to be created and given to weavers who would weave it on the saree. Dr Bhardwaj and Naik started working on the idea four months ago. They succeeded in developing the technique a few days ago.
Naik further said Banaras handloom industry was facing many issues with marketing being the major one. The study revealed that most customers are not aware of the difference between handloom and power loom made saree. Only a limited number of customers knew about the handloom and GI marks.
His study also shows that customers are unaware of whether sellers are providing real handloom marks or duplicate ones with their products. So, he came up with the idea of sarees having logos and QR code.
He said the full designed saree consists of 6.50-metre in length in which 1 metre blouse piece is included. After the saree part is completed, a part of 6-7 inches of plain fabric before the blouse is weaved. This patch contains designed the QR code and the other three logos.
By incorporating these logos at the place, it will not reduce the fabric strength and style and the looks of the saree will remain intact.
Amresh Kushwaha, the chairman, Angika co-operative society and Angika, a Varanasibased designer, has implemented the idea for the first time. They said due to the lack of proper use of GI marks and handloom marks, customers were not sure about its originality of being weaved over a handloom..