CLRI to set up leather design studio

Chennai, Jan 23 (UNI) The Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has planned to set up a leather design studio, in association with the Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID), and a Rs 90 crore footwear designing centre.

Talking to newspersons here today, CLRI Director Prof Asit Baran Mandal said the proposal will make Tamil Nadu the hub of Indian leather industry.

Dr Mandal said the leather design institute was an initiative to help the industry come out with innovative designs to compete in the global market.

''We have set apart four acres of land in the CLRI campus itself for the studio. It will have state-of-the-art design instruments'', he said.

The experts from the NID would train prospective designers sent by the industry, he added.

The footwear designing institute was a joint venture between the CLRI and the leather industry.

''There will be three institutes like this in the country. The Chennai institute will offer training on footwear designing and human resources meant for the leather industry'', he said, adding, ''the Centre will bear all expenses for setting up the institute provided the state government makes available land for the project.

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