Former cricketers are always welcomed with smiles, greetings, bouquets and words of praise. But in the case of Chetan Chauhan, best remembered as a sedate opening batsman of the 1970s rather than member of the ruling party, taking over the National Institute of Fashion Technology has created flutter in the fashion fraternity. Only a few are articulating their dislike, though. Most want to give him some time before commenting. But there is no thrill among designers, who were once students at the esteemed institution of Delhi, or those who had the good fortune of teaching or interacting with its students. For Rina Dhaka, who was student of the first batch of NIFT, the news should be seen in the context of the fact that the chairman at the premier fashion institute has always been a person with a political background and/or someone backed by the ruling dispensation.
“When I was a student we did not have a person with political background. But this was because we were the first batch of students. From there on, it has always been political appointees made by the government of the day. Similarly, Chetan Chauhan heading NIFT as chairman should be seen in the same context.”
Rina wants to give him a chance. “Let us see if the person concerned can give value to the system, enhance discipline and sensitise students about the importance of timing.”
Rina, who has been interacting with students of NIFT on and off, says she has been sharing with them her creative inputs and expertise on fabric as well as retail. “If given an opportunity to head NIFT, I would love to give it a try.”
Noting that the appointment of cricketer-politician as chairman of the National Institute of Fashion Technology was beyond his comprehension, Rahul Mishra, who has studied in both Indian and foreign fashion institutions, says: “Chetan Chauhan claims that he will devote 60 per cent of the time to the Delhi and District Cricket Association, 20 per cent to NIFT and 20 per cent to his business. Chairman has a busy schedule; even if he gives 10 per cent of his time it is enough. But we need someone who can inspire students and implement ideas. Mr. Chauhan is a respectable figure who has big achievements in cricket and as an administrator. But I don’t think he has an understanding of our textile industry.” Many feel the chairman’s is the ceremonial head and there is a board to run the affairs. “If it is ceremonial then it needs to be scrapped,” counters Rahul.
Arguing his case against the government’s decision, Rahul says NIFT has advanced courses like garment technology and accessory designing. “Only one or two per cent of students become independent designers like me. Rest join brands like Arvind Mills, Gokuldas, Myntra and Amazon. I would not have raised the issue if the new NIFT boss had been a fashion buyer or retailer. Even if he is a not from the fashion industry, he still needs to be someone of the stature of Laila Tyabji and Pupul Jayakar, who implemented creative ideas at NID. Even Sunil Sethi, the FDCI head does not have a fashion background but he has an understanding of design and can spot talent.” Cautious in her reaction, designer Aneeth Arora says, “We have to give the new incumbent some time before we assess his work. Chetan Chauhan would be bringing his own experience in his previous job of cricket administrator and politician in running day-to-day affairs of NIFT. We cannot see this development in isolation.”
Sharing her experience as a student at the premier institute, Aneeth says, “During our time, NIFT used to be a very close-knit body, where students mingled with the faculty. Students would approach those in the higher ups in administration in case of problem related to infrastructure of the college.”
Sharing her experience as a faculty member at NIFT, Rina Singh, who is one of the participating designers at the ongoing exhibition at Ogaan, says, “I taught at NIFT in Gandhinagar between 2001 and 2005. During my tenure Villoo Mirza was director of NIFT. He had an artistic eye as well as administrative acumen. Ideally, we should have a chairman who has an artistic eye for spotting talent and grooming them and also academic background. Having the right vision is important to show direction to students who come from far flung areas of the country. It cannot be run as a business model.”
As a cricketer Chetan Chauhan was always considered a dependable guy in the middle, let’s hope he will see through this spell of criticism and carve a fruitful innings in fashion.
