As per the latest "World Population Prospects" Report released by the United Nations the Indian population will grow to 1395 million by 2025 and 1593 million by 2050. In comparison China's population will grow to 1441 million by 2025 before slipping to 1392 million in 2050. The predications earlier therefore that India would cross over China before 2050 appear to be coming true little too early as India would leapfrog China by 2030. This is five years ahead of the predicted time just before two years! The world population by 2050 on the other hand would grow to 9.1 billion from the current 6.5 billion. This would mean 17.51 per cent of the human-beings breathing on this earth would be Indians!

Add to this the fact that the median age for Indians which is currently 24.9 years compared to 32.7 years that of China is also likely to further go down as India would add younger population faster than the yesteryears!

The third phenomenon which merits mention is the rate at which urbanization is progressing and by the time India becomes the top most populated country almost half the population shall be staying in urban centers also merits a special mention. There is also a tremendous impact of the electronic media on our day to day life. As per one estimate Indians watch two hours of television every day. Though this is much less compared to six hours idiot box gluing by the Yankees the television culture and its influence is undoubtedly spreading like a wild fire through every nook and corner of this country. This has a tremendous significance on the life style and buying behavior of the consumers. The economic liberalization and the influence of globalization is already being felt in changing culture and marketing practices. The fact is we are changing from Mela to a Mall culture!

All these factors are going to have a tremendous influence on our day today life. Textiles can not be an exception as it straight away influences our lifestyle. It is here that one specific change is going to change the consumer preference silently but surely. In 2003, the market segment of textiles had 21 per cent share of branded goods, 29 per cent belonged to tailor made textiles and rest 50 per cent went to unbranded items. By 2005 this changed to 27 per cent in favor of branded goods, with tailor made textiles climbing down to 25 per cent and unbranded to 48 per cent. The predictions are by 2015 branded textile goods would gobble up 67 per cent relegating unbranded goods to second position with just 26 per cent leaving a meager 7 per cent share for the tailor made textiles. This undoubtedly signals a tremendous change in favor of branded textile goods readymade garments included. The Indian textile majors have already woken up to this clarion call. The recent collaboration of world' s largest apparel / garment company Venity Fair with Arvind brands through a JV where VF would own 60 per cent of the equity indicates the appreciation of the global textile giant of growing Indian market for the branded goods and also their assessment of gains synergizing with India's largest textile manufacturer for maintaining the world leadership. Commenting on this, in an exclusive interview, with the TEXTILE REVIEW Sanjay Lalbhai, Managing Director of Arvind says "we are now strategic investors in this JV. VF Corporation will drive this business as an important part of their world-wide strategy. The fast growing Indian market is very important to VF".

On the other hand, if we look at the overall scenario in the global context, the share of Indian textiles of the global market in 1951 was 11 per cent. It slipped to 1.9 per cent in 1955 to recover to 3.1 per cent (US $ 13 billion out of a total trade of US$ 400 billion) by 2005. The share is further likely to rise to 7.5 per cent with Indian textile exports projected to touch 50 billion mark out of the projected global trade of US$ 650 billion. In this the readymade garments are likely to occupy 40 per cent plus share. This value added sector therefore deserves a special place.

There is yet another reason for cheering up. Because of the over speeding by China, the restrictions are imposed on them by EU upto January 2008 and USA upto January 2009. How far this would be to India's advantage would depend upon how best we are able to respond to this opportunity through efficient manufacturing and supply network. Commenting on this opportunity, in yet another exclusive interview with TEXTILE REVIEW Aziz Memon, Chairman, Kings Apparel from Pakistan says "Many countries in Asia have invested heavily in technology, brand acquisition and skill development in the recent past. They are not only struggling to retain their market share but also to win over others. However, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are in a better position to turn the restrictions on China to their advantage". While there are indications on the horizon with Indian textile companies not only to tightening up their belts at home but also acquiring the market chains abroad. Acquisitions by GHCL of Dan River and Mafatlal's of Burlington's are some of these examples. Reliance and Pantaloons are busy planning retail chains to optimize their market share in India which has a burgeoning middle class and thereby the single largest free market anywhere in the world. Afterall, population can not be a disadvantage always!

For Indian readymade garment sector, therefore, one can say that happy days are here again. With the positive developments and friendly environmental factors virtually sky seems to be the limit. Much however would depend upon the capability of this sector to adopt technology and be fit and trim to deliver. At this juncture, we can only wish them a good luck!