Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao on Tuesday presented a cheque of Rs 1 crore to Padma Shri recipient Chintakindi Mallesham for developing enough "Laxmi Asu" machines to help the handloom weavers in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, KTR said, "There is a demand for 650 machines in Telangana right now, and the state government will support Mallesham to make them."
At present the innovator is developing the machines from his home, but this financial support will enable him set up a unit to manufacture the machines in bulk.
KTR added that his government was ready to extend all possible support to the handloom workers in order to help them earn a sustainable income for a better livelihood, and that this was just one of several initiatives in that direction.
The minister appreciated Mallesham for developing the revolutionary machine which drastically brought down the labour involved in weaving.
The Laxmi Asu machine traces its history to Mallesham's childhood days. Moved by the strenuous routine his mother had to go through to complete the 'asu' making, an important process in Pochampally handloom weaving, Mallesham, a native of Alair in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, had developed the machine to make work easier for her.
It took him eight years to develop the machine, and he named it after his mother.
Mallesham was awarded the coveted Padma Shri honour earlier this year for his achievement.
filed in:K T Rama Rao, Weavers, Handloom & Textiles, Padma Sri