NIFT Drives Fashion Education from Grassroots to Glamour in Tribal Belt

Daman: In a meaningful outreach initiative, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Daman Campus, extended its admission awareness and orientation efforts to students from the tribal region of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The initiative focused on guiding students from Eklavya Model Residential School Shelti in Silvassa, a fully residential co-educational institution established under the National Education Society for Tribal Students, functioning under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The NIFT admission team conducted a comprehensive orientation for 16 students, preparing them for the entrance examination held in February 2026. In a remarkable outcome, all 16 students successfully cleared the first phase of the selection process—an achievement that reflects both the students’ determination and the effectiveness of the guidance provided.

Building on this success, the school principal, Rakesh Kumar, invited senior NIFT students to further mentor the aspirants for the crucial Situation Test, which forms the second stage of the admission process. Answering the call, third-year Bachelor of Textile Design students Bhavika Vilas Ahire and Priyasha Khanjodiya—both hailing from the same tribal region—returned to guide and train the students.

Their involvement turned the initiative into a powerful example of community upliftment. Having themselves benefited from inclusive education policies, these young mentors provided hands-on training, helping students understand the nuances of the Situation Test with practical demonstrations and personalized guidance. Alumni have previously visited institutions in this area offering both in-person and online training sessions on the General Ability Test, reaching over 20 aspiring students.

NIFT Director Dr Sanjay Shrivastava, who channelised the initiative, emphasized that handholding the needy is the need of the hour to identify the true potential of Bharat. He further said that NIFT’s outreach aligns with the broader national vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower every section of society and position India as a global leader by 2047. He reiterated that NIFT remains committed to such outreach programmes and will continue to expand these efforts in the years to come. Daman campus offers 2 undergraduate programs in Textile Design & Fashion Design and one post graduate program in Fashion Management.