FDDI celebrates INI Day with pomp and gaiety emphasising its core values

Hyderabad: FDDI, (Footwear Design & Development Institute) celebrated INI (Institute of National Importance) Day on Monday, at its Hyderabad Campus, commemorating the grant of INI status by Parliament in 2017. The event featured keynote addresses, industry insights, student displays, and cultural performances, showcasing FDDI's contributions to education, innovation, and societal progress.

Distinguished guests, faculty, students, alumni, and industry leaders attended, with media representatives welcome to cover the celebrations. The event commenced with the recitation of the National Anthem, followed by a showcase of introductory videos highlighting FDDI's remarkable journey.

Welcome address by Dr Narsimhugari Tej Lohit Reddy (IAS), ED, Hyderabad, delivered welcome address, highlighting its significance "INI Day celebrates excellence, innovation, and knowledge pursuit, reflecting on our journey, acknowledging achievements, and envisioning the future, fostering collaboration and growth in the INI community.

Col Pankaj Kumar Sinha, FDDI Secretary, addressed the gathering, marking the institution's prestigious status granted in 2017. He honoured FDDI's commitment to excellence and innovation in footwear, fashion, and related sectors, and thanked stakeholders for their efforts. The institution reaffirmed its dedication to high standards and meaningful impact, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards excellence.

FDDI launches 'Felicitas', its annual fashion magazine, showcasing innovative designs, trends, and talent. Keynote speeches by directors from IIIT (Dr PJ Narayanan), NIFT (Dr Malani Divakala), CFTI (K Murli).

Dr PJ Narayanan emphasised innovation and excellence at FDDI's INI Day, He encouraged students to embrace challenges and push boundaries, stating "the future belongs to those who create it" and expressed confidence in FDDI's talented individuals making a significant impact.

Dr MalaniDivakala, Director NIFT Hyderabad, congratulated FDDI, praising its commitment to excellence and innovation. She emphasised the importance of nurturing future leaders and entrepreneurs, and looked forward to continued collaboration between the institutions.

K Murli (Director-CFTI-Chennai) shared his vision for the future of footwear, fashion, and leather goods design at FDDI's INI Day, emphasizing sustainability, creativity, and industry-academia collaboration. He commended FDDI's commitment to excellence and urged students toFDDI, stay curious, experiment, and innovate for a brighter industry future.

Industry stalwarts Rajan Kumar Jha, VP-Bata, and Niren Anand, MD-Ever Trade Shoes, shared valuable insights on the occasion. They highlighted emerging trends, innovation, and sustainability in footwear and fashion, emphasising the need for adaptability and excellence in the ever-evolving industry landscape.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultural event that showcased India's rich cultural diversity through classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Kathakali, as well as fusion dance performances. This was followed by an attention-grabbing fashion show, 'Alankaran', which highlighted the traditional handlooms and draping heritage of various regions of India.