State innovator patents soft muga process
By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, March 27 The Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network, North
East (GIAN-NE) today announced the first Indian patent for an invention titled
Process for preparation of soft muga silk fabric, which has been developed by
Dulal Choudhury of Guwahati. According to GIAN-NE this is the first patent
received by an innovator through GIAN-NEs initiative.
In a press conference held in the city today, Dr Natabar S Hemmam of GIAN-NE
stated that Choudhurys invention is a crucial development, and acquisition of
the patent recognizes its unique characteristics.
The revolutionary process adds softness and at the same time makes the muga
fabric more resilient. It could thus be used for a wider range of applications,
a far cry from its use as a traditional wear of Assamese women.
According to GIAN-NE the new process involves heat treatment of muga yarn with
uniform twist to remove fibres and starch to make it supple. Heat treatment
(steam, electrical, or air) is accomplished by passing the yarn through a heat
retaining object.
Speaking to the media, Dulal Choudhury who has already received a patent on his
Mechanized process of making muga fabric said that both mechanization and the
softening process are essential for making the fabric attractive to a larger
customer base.
Most foreign buyers would buy muga only when it appears as a soft and
comfortable fabric and through the new process it could be done. Moreover, the
new fabric could be shaped into a variety of articles, which would have not
appeared attractive with the original fabric.
The new fabric has already attracted attention from entrepreneurs and one
entrepreneur has already fashioned articles like wallets, caps, curtains and
stoles. An umbrella using muga clothes has been able to get favourable response
due to its UV absorbing quality.
It was found out by Tezpur University Physics Department that an umbrella
using Muga fabric could absorb around 80 per cent UV rays which are harmful to
human beings.
Choudhury, a mechanical engineer believes that the process of making soft muga
fabric is crucial if the muga industry is to keep up with the changing econmic
situation. Unless muga is used in materials which appeal to foreign or buyers
from the rest of the country, the industry would gradually die out.
He hoped that the soft muga fabric production would eventually be taken up by a
larger number of people in the State as gainful econmic activity. Unless that
happens, there would be a shortage of materials required by those who would
like to use it for making various objects.
Asked if the mechanized process of muga fabric would adversely affect those
engaged in the handloom sector producing muga clothes, Choudhury reasoned that
without mechanization the entire muga production in the state could suffer
because it would not attain the competitive edge required in todays world.
Besides, a shortage of weavers was being acutely felt in muga weaving centers
like Sualkuchi.
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