Apparel November 2019 Apparel November 2019 issue | Page 8

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Dear Friends,
A wide range of emotions ran through my mind as I sat down at the
Managing Committee’s meeting a few days ago, to announce my
stepping down from the Presidentship of CMAI after 15 years. A
touch of pride at having contributed in a small way to bringing the
Association to where it is today, a sense of achievement for the various
milestones achieved during the tenure, a tinge of sadness, and indeed,
a bit of relief—at having this load lifted off my shoulders.
And what an incredible journey it has been.
The 50th-Year Celebrations, revamping of APPAREL, the Launch of the
Apparel Training Centre and training of nearly 45,000 workers for the
industry, the start of IVY League, forming of the Captains Forum, the
Round Table Conferences, being invited to be India’s Representative at
the International Apparel Federation (IAF), the start of our Newsletters,
the CMAI INDEX, restarting our New Delhi Office, taking small first
steps in CSR activities, India’s first APPAREL CONSUMPTION STUDY,
the on-going INDIASize Study, co-founding the SU.RE Movement—
the Indian Fashion Industry’s resolve towards Sustainability—and of
course, the growth of National Garment Fairs (NGF) to India’s Largest
Trade Shows in the Apparel Industry, with over 1,100 Brands and
40,000 Retailer Visitors. Not to forget what I always believe will be as
crucial to CMAI’s Members as the NGF—the Payment Dispute and
Resolution mechanism set up in the last few years. Even today, close
to three years after its launch, we are still settling close to 10 lakh’s
worth of disputes every week!
And who can ignore the constant interactions and interventions with
the Government?
The fight against ‘C’ Forms, against the imposition of Excise, to get the
lowest rate of GST, against rampant Imports from Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka, limiting the import of Used Clothing, relaxation of the Packaged
Commodity Act Rules and Regulations for the Garment Industry and
its ultimate withdrawal for the Industry. The list goes on…
Of course, there have been mistakes committed along the way.
Ideas that have not clicked—the Testing Laboratory for instance. Or
the ADHIGAM, a Software Program to help our small members to
understand and implement GST. But I guess that’s part and parcel of
any journey.
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I APPAREL I
November 2019