Kannur (Kerala), Apr 19 : The Ninth centre of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) was opened on Saturday in Kannur.

The Union Minister for Textiles, Shankarsinh Vaghela has also laid the foundation stone for the NIFT buildings at Kannur.

Vaghela said on the occasion that the textiles industry needs to adopt the best practices and encourage focused research and development.

"The Indian textiles and apparel industry is poised to grow significantly and contribute substantially in employment generation. The success of the Indian fashion industry lies in its wide repertoire of designs inspired from the rich craft traditions, state of-the-art technologies and burgeoning retail environment," he added.

Vaghela hoped that the opening of NIFT centre in Kannur District will help in the development of competencies and the skills of the weavers in critical areas essential for the traditional industry to compete with the modern, high class design centres and business entrepreneurs.

The Union Textiles Ministry has funded the total cost of the Kannur project of Rs. 58.64 crores. NIFT, since its inception in 1986, under the Ministry of Textiles, is a premier institute of design in the country that moulds professionals in fashion industry.

The institute is a pioneer in envisioning and evolving fashion business education in the country through network of eight professionally managed centres in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Raebareli.

Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, KINFRA is the Nodel agency for the NIFT, Kannur. The Kerala Government is aiming to commence the classes during the current academic session.

The Minister of Industry, Government of Kerala, Elamaram Kareem, the Minister of Home, Government of Kerala, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, various Members of Parliament (MP) and Assembly and officials of Ministry of Textiles are among others present on the occasion.

ANI