Padma Bhushan Rajashree Birla inaugurates Greater Kailash boutique, advancing sustainable Kosa silk and empowering 700+ artisans in Chhattisgarh
Kosala, the social enterprise of Hindalco Industries, has launched its first flagship retail store in Greater Kailash (N Block), New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in its Kosa silk value-chain initiative rooted in Chhattisgarh.
The boutique was inaugurated by Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, in the presence of Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco; Saurabh Khedekar, CEO – Alumina Business, Hindalco and Director, Kosala Foundation; and actor Yami Gautam Dhar.
Launched in 2021, Kosala was conceived to revive and scale the indigenous Kosa silk craft of the Dewangan community. Since inception, the initiative has empowered over 700 artisans across Raigarh and Janjgir-Champa districts, strengthening sustainable livelihoods while preserving a centuries-old textile legacy.
In FY25, 31 weaver families secured full-time engagement, while 130 artisans were employed across pre-loom and post-loom activities. Full-time weavers recorded a 63 per cent rise in income owing to assured year-round work. During the year, 379 artisans were engaged and 100 newly skilled, reinforcing value-chain integration and household stability.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mrs Birla said Kosala reflects a trusteeship-driven approach—preserving India’s cultural heritage while enabling artisan families, especially women, to access dignified, sustainable livelihoods.
Khedekar described the store as more than a retail expansion, calling it a reaffirmation of Hindalco’s long-term commitment to revitalising Kosa silk and restoring economic recognition to its original custodians. He added that the enterprise continues to prioritise artisan welfare through life insurance coverage, structured training, and contemporary design interventions aligned with evolving consumer preferences.
Capacity-building initiatives include natural dye training for 25 rural youth; sewing and embroidery programmes for 100 women in partnership with the International Labour Organisation and the Foundation for MSME Clusters; certification of 50 Dewangan women in Kosa reeling; and advanced weaving training for 25 artisans through the Weavers’ Service Centre, Raigarh. In 2024, Kosala also introduced the Artisan Shilp Unnati Yojana, instituting annual recognition and incentive frameworks for master weavers.
Instituted under Hindalco’s sustainable mining initiatives in Chhattisgarh, Kosala represents a scalable rural enterprise model integrating market access, skill development and infrastructure investment—positioning heritage textiles within a sustainable luxury framework while delivering measurable socio-economic impact.
