Surat Hosts Grand Garment Awareness Rally by CMAI

Surat, Gujarat — The Clothing Manufacturers Association Of India (CMAI) organised a mammoth ‘garment awareness’ rally for the first time in the diamond city of Surat. More than 500 students and textile traders participated in the huge rally, which was flagged off from the Millennium textile market on Ring Road to spread public awareness towards garments in the city. 

The garment awareness rally was pioneered by CMAI Gujarat Regional Chairman Dr. Ajay Bhattachary, where president of Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) Kailash Hakim and his team, Gujarat Yoga Board’s Parul Patel and BNI’s Rajesh and Vikas Agarwala contributed significantly. 

During the flag off, a live yoga performance was performed by students of Gujarat Yoga Board, which aimed to inspire the textile community towards a healthy lifestyle.

The rally started with the national flag of India, followed by bikers on bullets carrying the flags of “5F” – Farm, Fibre, Fabric, Fashion and Foreign.

A 15-foot tall giant T-shirt was designed for the rally, which symbolized the growing steps from Surat’s textile industry towards garmenting.A group of more than 100 students participated wearing T-shirts of different colors to represent each “F”, which made the entire program lively and creative.

On a 40-foot long trailer, 18 students of Gujarat Yoga Board gave a live yoga performance on the moving trailer, which became a powerful symbol of health, balance and social awareness.

Surat police commissioner,  Anupam Singh Gehlot while flagging off said, “I heartily congratulate all the organizers for this historic rally. This rally symbolizes a new direction in Surat’s textile industry and is a great example of social health and awareness. Such programs awaken the flow of positive energy in society.”

Special Guest and Surat City BJP President Paresh Patel said, “Garment industry is the next big chapter in Surat’s development. This rally showed how much big change we can bring about by coming together.”

FOSTTA President Kailash Hakim said, “Surat’s future is no longer just about grey or processing, now we have to focus on garmenting as well. Textile traders now have to move forward quickly in making ready-made garments.”

CMAI Regional Chairman Dr. Ajay Bhattacharya said, “Special thanks to the team of FOSTTA, IDT and Gujarat Yoga Board. This rally is the most unique event in the history of Surat so far. The participation of more than 500 students and traders is proof that Surat is ready for change.”

This grand rally was based on the “5F Vision” – Farm to Foreign – vision of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and proved to be an inspiring step towards bringing Surat forward as a garment hub.