CWG medal winners being gifted angavastrams instead of flowers

New Delhi, Oct. 8 (ANI): Commonwealth Games medal winners are being gifted with an 'angavastram' instead of the traditional bouquet of flowers. The angavastram, complete with the CWG colours, woven logo and a miniature 'Shera'-has been crafted from Chanderi fabric.

The CWG Organising Committee has ordered 1,375 stoles for athletes and another 10,000 as merchandise on the initiative of the textile ministry.

In all, the project order is worth about Rs.50 lakh.

According to a Times of India report, about 100 weavers from the villages of Pranpur and Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh were assigned the task six months ago.

"This design was chosen by the OC from 100 prototypes. We felt that gifting an angavastram instead of flowers would be a thoroughly Indian statement and a keepsake for the athletes," Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, Rita Menon, said.

The stoles-resplendent in red, blue, green and purple with a golden kinari-are also available at merchandise shops at Games venues.

The Central Cottage Corporation of India and Handicraft and Handlooms Export Corporation of India (HHEC) has also set up a shop for traditional handlooms and handicrafts in the Games Village.

The HHEC had also supplied scarves and ties for the Queen's Baton Relay and gifts for the delegates of Commonwealth Games Conference held last year.

The ministry is also providing exposure to the works of master artisans, weavers and artists, and exhibiting them in the 'crafts of India gallery' at a Metro station in the capital. (ANI)