SEEING RED | Political parties, fashion designers question decision to appoint Chetan Chauhan as NIFT chief
The appointment of ex-cricketer and former BJP MP Chetan Chauhan as the chairman of prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology on Saturday, kicked up a controversy with political parties and fashion designers questioning the decision of the government. Tweeple, too, took little time to weigh in on the news, and came out with elaborate jokes on 68-year-old Chauhan, who is also the vice-president of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
"I have been appointed (as the NIFT chairman) by the Government of India and I will work to the best of my ability," said Chauhan.
As per the NIFT Act 2006, the chairperson of its Board of Governors shall be an eminent academician, scientist or technologist or professional, who is to be nominated by the Visitor, in this case the President of India.
Set up in 1986, the institute which has centres across the country comes under the Union Ministry of Textiles.
Ridiculing the decision, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said, "the government wants to convert NIFT into National Institute of Cricket Technology."
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: Modiji has selectively assembled an army of sycophants - Gajendra Chauhan, Chetan Chauhan, Pahlaj Nihalani, Smriti Irani.
"This is absurd. He (Chauhan) does not know 'F' about fashion...," AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha told reporters.
Noted fashion designer Rina Dhaka expressed surprise over the appointment and said, "I would use this moment, basically to just say, why not us? We do have a plethora of talent. What is wrong in our appointment?"
Textiles minister Santosh Gangwar defended the appointment, saying the NIFT board has 11 members belonging to different walks of life, including businessmen as well as designers.
—With Input Agencies
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