Ritu Kumar’s recent email to FDCI members

Dear Members of the FDCI,
We are speaking of the possibility of coming together either on our own independent steam as FDCI, or merging with a recently set up government body ��� designated as the FDPC.
There are many pros and cons to consider before we, as a non-profit organisation, give up our independent status ��� The council has a clear agenda which is to provide a platform to the indigenous fashion industry
The main points to highlight are as follows:
FDCI as a Council has been very successful.And has put Indian fashion on the national, as well as international map. As the business grows, as a council we have to be open to all proposals put to us which might forward the case of the design community and provide it the finance and stability.
Any decision therefore, to undermine FDCI has to be carefully considered with all the pros and cons presented clearly.
We need to consider very carefully before we conduct any event under the FDPC banner. It is a new council with its aims and objectives not clearly stated, and as a matter of fact, they have not even given us a formal proposal for a merger or collaboration. I once again urge everyone to be very careful and only support or liaise with a new Council, only once we have full written proof of its standing and when we can see some firm credentials.
An important aspect is that every event of FDCI has an IPR value. If we give this to FDPC, there should be a cost to it. No one surrenders IPR to another without careful consideration. In my tenure as the president, I recall booking a number of domains including The India Fashion Week, India Fashion Village, India Fashion Hub, Menswear Week, Couture Week, etc. These are the properties of the FDCI and its membership, which cannot be given away without a general body consensus.
Such decisions must be taken with the knowledge of all the Members of FDCI (General Body). And the FDCI Board has to be transparent in explaining all the pros and cons very clearly in minuted and signed records. This includes legal aspects ��� our lawyers should be consulted before any proposal comes to us and before we make any counter proposal. The rules of the FDCI have been put down 11 years back by Mr Saptarishi, who was the then DG NIFT. I would urge everyone to read the restrictive nature of the document before any private conversations take place with the FDPC. They may be taken as testing the ground, but will have no legality unless the rule books are followed religiously.
I happen to be on the the Advisory Committee of FDCI, and have to bring to everyone���s notice that the body cannot take decisions as they���ve no powers as per the rules & regulations of the Council.
The FDPC has claimed Government support and promised financial benefits to Members. This has to be presented to the FDCI general body by FDPC with proper authorisation from their Board.The few deputations that have been made to the Government nominees have resulted in their expressing an inability to make any promise ��� of either land or funds.
There is also a promise of a Fashion Hub. FDPC must clearly explain the veracity of this proposal. If they are not able to, then the FDCI has nothing to gain from any collaborative arrangement with FDPC.
It is important therefore, for the full Board of FDPC to authorise clearly, the individual who they have decided will go forward with any negotiations and issue statements on their behalf. This must come from the government under the umbrella of the textile ministry. If not, it only indicates that there is no truth in any of the benefits being offered to FDCI Members.
With regards,
Ritu kumar
I am addressing this to all of you because I have been receiving calls, some from people who conclude that I am still on the Board. I hope this clarifies my personal stand. I retired from the Board and the presidentship a year- and-a-half ago.