Diksha Rai, a PhD scholar in Economics at the University of Hyderabad, has made her university proud by winning the first prize with a Gold Medal and a cash prize of ₹50,000 in the first-ever National Handloom Hackathon 2025. This prestigious competition, organized by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India, saw participation from around 90 teams across the country.
Diksha’s team tackled the critical issue of counterfeit handloom products, which threaten the livelihoods of genuine weavers and undermine consumer trust. With over 35 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers in India, this problem affects a significant part of the rural economy.
Diksha’s team presented innovative solutions to address the economic impact of counterfeit handloom products. Their work showcased the importance of protecting traditional industries and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Diksha expressed her gratitude to her PhD supervisor, Prof. Phanindra Goyari, and acknowledged the support of her university, teachers, friends, and relatives. After receiving the Gold Medal and cash money prize, Diksha said “My participation in this event, is a direct result of the encouragement and support from my PhD supervisor, Prof. Phanindra Goyari. This Handloom Hackathon provided an unparalleled opportunity for networking and knowledge exchanges. I had the honour of interacting with luminaries from the Ministry of Textiles, seasoned industry experts, and esteemed academics. These interactions moved the challenges of the handloom sector from theoretical concepts to tangible realities, enriching my academic perspective with real-world context”.
Expressing his great happiness, Prof. Debashis Acharya, Dean of School of Economics, said “Congratulations Diksha. The School of Economics is proud of this achievement and joins in wishing many more such laurels in the future”.