Topsy Turvy in Changing Scenarios: A Case on Chikankari Textile

Abstract

The case presents a typical problem that a new-generation entrepreneur faces if he wants to enter a traditional Indian industry working on the lines of business framework that has remained unchanged till now. The main topic in study is to understand the challenges faced by the traditional textile industry of India. The study concerns chikankari textile, a subsection of the vast traditional textile industry of India. The chikankari has been awarded a geographical indicator status and belongs to the Lucknow district located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. The data have been collected through a series of surveys and in-depth interviews of major players in the industry. As the information was largely qualitative in nature, hence case study method was considered to be the most suited for its analysis and description of the results. The collected information was transcripted and themes identified aligned with the challenges before the respective textile form. The case highlights such challenges to find feasible solutions to set up a sustainable business venture. The case is developed from the perspective of a budding ambitious entrepreneur, Rahul Rastogi, interested in a start-up. The case describes the dynamics of the industry and closes with Rahul thinking about plans to enter and establish a start-up in the current state of affairs.