Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has said that the innovative spirit of India needs to be institutionalized for developing eco-friendly and cost-friendly alternative ideas that can also be utilized to create job opportunities.<br />''<br />''Speaking at the award giving ceremony for winners of the Textile Grand Challenge 2019, Mrs Irani said that the contribution of innovative ideas by the participants is an indication that the legacy of India is steeped in equal opportunities for all. <br />''<br />''She stressed on the need to upgrade textile machine technology especially in the jute sector and proposed to organizing a Grand Machinery Challenge for the Textile Sector to throw up new technologies.<br />'' <br />''The Textile Grand Challenge 2019 was organized by the Ministry of Textiles with the active support of National Jute Board and the Start up India Team of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Industrial Trade. <br />''<br />''The aim of organizing this event was to bring forward innovative ideas by start-ups and entrepreneurs for development of cost effective and low-weight carry bags using Jute Bio-mass, Jute Plant based bio-polymer and cotton fibre waste to phase out plastic bags. <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">It is also an initiative towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India under which innovative solutions were sought for alternative to single use plastic bags and using domestically grown natural fibres like Jute and Cotton.</span><br />