Here is the problem: Government of India proposes to amend the Reservation of Article for Production Act, 1985 to include mechanically powered loom in the same category as handlooms. That means mechanically powered looms will be able to produce and sell the same products as hand-powered looms. This will destroy the handloom sector, which still supports millions of rural based artisans. A power loom can make six saris in a day whereas a handloom can barely finish one. The feel and look of 'the hand' will be lost. Generations of patient, intricate skills will be lost. Weaving is skill that is done with utter brilliance and is passed on from generation to generation. The essence of the ‘Guru Shiksha Parampara’ the last place where it stands will finish. Art of weaving started some 10,000 years back. It was and still remains on an individual basis. That is, the weaver worked from his home and the family members assisted. The Indian weaver is one of the country’s biggest assets second only to the Indian farmer. A marvel it is that the ancient art still exist in our country. But even after a 100 centuries later the carriers of this tradition are the least respected and today the industry stands on the very edge of doom. Imagine an India without Brocade, Jamawar, Ikkat, Chanderi, Dhakai, Maheshwari, Jamdani, Kota Doria, Baluchari, Paithainai or Pochampalli. Imagine never having a hand-made piece of clothing ever. That is what this new ordinance will do. India is a country of multiple diversities. With over a hundred million people it is a land of the very rich and the extremely poor all under one roof. One amendment and 44 Lakh Indian’s will lose their basic means of earning and from being sought after skilled workers will suddenly become unskilled factory hands. Not only will 44 lakh weavers lose their income but also another additional 396000000 people (carpenters, dhobis etc) will lose their sources of income. While the world moves to preserving ancient arts and crafts, India and its government under the garb of modernization is moving towards systematically making the poor poorer and the rich richer. Imagine twenty years from now what will your children know of a Chanderi weave - Nothing! Soon there will be no weavers left. India still has a 19 years old Joheb. He loves to weave and so do many of his friends. But with this amendment, Joheb and thousand like him will be left with no option but move to the city to find a job and he will never be able to teach his child this art. Soon young weavers will all just become factory hands in power loom mills owned by giants. We talk about saving our culture for the generations yet to come and yet we are systematically working towards making an economy that takes away any form of sustainability. We talk about are metros getting too crowded and villages emptying out. We talk about how the country’s infrastructure gets shaken up because of the rural to urban migration. Have you ever imagined what would happen when 44 lakh people lose their source of income and have to come to the cities and industrial towns to work in factories? We talk about the deplorable condition of women and how they need to be taught self-sustenance. Once the handloom and power loom become one, the women weavers will be once again bound to the house, unable to go to a factory and lose their very own source on income. Imagine a world where you no longer have any saris or dupattas woven by hand that are passed one for generations. If you feel even the slightest tinge of empathy and a shock of the loss of cultural heritage that awaits if this amendment is passed, please sign this petition which we will send to the not only the textile ministry but also the Prime Minister of India and the President of India. Come forth and help those who might not have a means of income starting 2014.