Silk Mark: All that shines is not silk

As the Silk MArk scheme completes one year, the Central SIlk Board (CSB) can take pride in its success

The Central Silk Board (CSB) introduced the Silk Mark scheme to ensure the purity of silk products, and it will play a multi-dimensional role in the overall promotion of Indian silk both in the domestic and export markets. The scheme accords paramount importance to setting in place impeccable standards for ensuring silk purity in the products and for the brand promotion of Indian silk through the medium of Silk Mark.

This has added significance in the present global silk scenario where no Silk Mark logo is available elsewhere with any of the silk producing nations or at the international level.

Silk - the wonder fibre

Silk - the wonderful gift of nature to the mankind is an inimitable natural fibre synonymous with splendor, sibilant with luster and spectacular in vision. The very name silk conjures up a feeling of elegance, luxury, beauty, refinement and sensuality - silk is synonymous with all these. No fibre natural or manmade rivals its versatility. Silk is light but strong, smooth and soft and superbly adaptable. It gives you warm in winter and cool in summer. It can be dyed with infinite shades, subtle or bold. When worn or draped, its fluidity is spell bound. Silk is royal and heavenly; it is exotic, erotic and sensual. Most of all it is simply sheer beauty.

Types of silks

There are four types of silks commercially significant: Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga. India is the only country that produce all the four varieties of silk commercially.

Global silk scenario

India is the second largest producer of silk next to China. While the annual Chinese silk production is to the tune of 65,000 metric tons, India produces only 15,000 tons a year. Other world silk players are Brazil, Korea, Japan & Vietnam.

Indian silk production & export

Karnataka is the biggest silk producing state in India contributing to around 60% of the total. Other major silk producing states are Tamil Nadu, Adhra Pradesh, West Bengal and J & K. Silk export from India is to the tune of Rs 2500 crores per annum.

Why Silk Mark?

Silk is considered to be pure and holy. However, there is a growing feeling of apprehension and frustration in the mind of consumers about the purity and quality of silk they buy. The common man is ignorant about the intricacies of silk purity and quality. For him, all that shines is silk. The nitty-gritty of the silk trade is quite unfamiliar to him. Unscrupulous traders may take advantage of the ignorance of the common consumer. The situation is all the more vulnerable in a scenario where silk-like synthetic materials (artificial silk) are available in plenty at cheaper prices. Consumer is always in a disarray as to the genuiness of the stuff offered in the name of silk. Generic promotion and consumer awareness is therefore included as an integral part of the Silk mark scheme.

Objectives of Silk Mark

Broad objectives of Silk Mark scheme are:

1. A measure of consumer protection

2. Provide quality assurance to silk consumers

3. As a brand equity to Indian silk

The ultimate goal of Silk Mark scheme is the overall promotion of Indian silk. The scheme, therefore, benefits all sections of the silk industry besides the consumer who undoubtedly is the King. The Silk Mark strive to straighten the entangled strands and seek to weave a healthy and lasting bond between silk manufacturers, traders and the consumers.

What is Silk Mark?

Silk Mark would be a symbol of silk purity. It would be a hallmark for products made from pure silk. Silk Mark logo will be prominently displayed and affixed to products qualifying certain standards. Only Authorised users of Silk Mark would be allowed to use the Silk Mark Logo in the products containing 100% Natural Silk.

Silk Mark Organization of India (SMOI)

Silk Mark Organization Of India (SMOI), a registered society, sponsored by the Central Silk Board, ministry of textiles, Govt. of India will operate the Silk Mark scheme. Silk manufacturers, silk traders of both domestic and export, companies and corporate bodies of repute can become the members of the society. Permanent members representing central and state governments and members elected by the general body, as per the byelaws, constitute the Committee of Administration (COA) who will manage the affairs of the Silk Mark Organization.

Who will operate the Silk Mark scheme?

SMOI will operate the Silk Mark Scheme. Initially, the scheme will be implemented by drafting officials from Central Silk Board, who have specialized experience in commercialization of silk technologies and innovative technical consultancies with over fifty years of expertise in the silk field.

Product Coverage?

Silk Mark covers all silk products - Primary, intermediate and finished silk products viz. 1. Raw silk 2. Silk yarns 3. Silk fabrics 4. Silk sarees 5. Silk made-ups 6. Silk garments 7. Silk carpets

The Silk Mark logo

The Silk Mark logo is a registered trademark under the Trade Mark Authority of India. The logo is the artistic depiction of silk moth emerged from its cocoon and transformed from pupae to a butterfly. The logo therefore represents nature.