Punjab is famous in the world for many specialties, but the world remembers it the most in winter. The reason is Ludhiana city of Punjab. It has become a major center of woolen textile production in the world. Cities like Dhaliwal, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Kharar are full of woolen mills and hosiery industries. Ludhiana is especially known for hosiery and knitwear products. The clothes made here are popular in India and abroad.
The history of the Indian woolen industry begins in 1876 when the first modern woolen mill was established in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. After this, in 1881, a second mill was established in Dhaliwal, Punjab. That means this happened exactly 143 years ago. At present more than 600 woolen mills, 1100 hosiery units and 150 spinning units are functioning in Punjab. About 15,000 people are getting employment in the industry here.
Maujpur market and Gandhi Nagar market of Ludhiana are the main centers of woolen textile business. Here raw materials are imported and then processed in dyeing units to produce high quality garments. According to local businessman Sandeep Sidana, crores of rupees are invested in this industry every year.
Australia leads the world in wool production, producing one-fifth of the world's wool. After this comes China, Russia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa. However, Punjab's woolen industry is rapidly making its place in international competition.
Many brands are manufacturing high quality products in Ludhiana, which are maintaining a strong hold in the domestic and foreign markets. The businessmen here are continuously improving the production by using new technologies, due to which the woolen industry of Punjab is becoming famous at the global level.
