Amit Shah on Sunday reflected on his early political experiences while appreciating the intricate artistry and scientific approach behind Patan Patola weaving in Gujarat’s Patan district. He remarked that India’s traditional design heritage should receive broader acknowledgement and growth.
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister delivered his remarks at the inauguration of the Incubation and Innovation Centre at the National Institute of Design in Gandhinagar. He emphasised the need to integrate design thinking into modern industry and everyday applications.
Shah recalled his visit to Patan in 1982 and said the craftsmanship and technical finesse of Patola weaving greatly impressed him.
“Those who have seen Patan Patola would know how exquisitely, minutely and scientifically its design has been done,” he said.
The Minister further noted that he had visited a Patola weaver’s home during that trip, accompanied by a local worker named KC Patel.
Shah explained that his curiosity led him to explore the weaving process in depth by asking several detailed questions.
“I tell you, perhaps such scientific design with colour combinations may hardly exist anywhere else,” HM Shah said while highlighting the accuracy and planning inherent in the traditional craft.
The Home Minister said that Patola weaving exemplifies India’s deep-rooted design capabilities and urged stakeholders to explore them further and connect them with contemporary opportunities.
“This discipline exists within us; it has to be explored. Creating an environment where more people could accept design as a career is essential for fully utilising the country’s creative potential,” he said.
Beyond Aesthetics
Amit Shah underlined that awareness of the practical value of design must expand across sectors and society. He added that people should view design not only as aesthetics or decoration but as a field that improves functionality, utility, and public use.
The Minister added that design plays an increasingly important role in areas ranging from industrial infrastructure to advanced sectors such as semiconductors and chip manufacturing.
Shah urged institutions like NID to help channel creative talent into professional careers aligned with industry needs. He also recommended that such institutions establish mechanisms to bridge the gap between creativity and commercial application, ensuring better opportunities for designers.
During his address, Shah described NID as a platform that brings together creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“One of the objectives behind establishing NID in Ahmedabad in 1961 may have been to identify and nurture the design abilities present in ordinary people,” he said.
Bhupendra Patel, Piyush Goyal, and Harsh Sanghavi attended the event along with senior officials, faculty members, and students.
Also Read: ‘Design Needs An IPL-Like Platform’: Amit Shah At NID Event
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