Jewel Chandra Das
Textile Engineer & Visionary Sustainability Professional
Solidaridad Network
Mr. Jewel Chandra Das is a distinguished Textile Engineer and Visionary Sustainability Professional, who has been making remarkable contributions to the textile industry. Mr. Das has become a recognized leader in promoting sustainable practices within the sector. As a key member of the Solidaridad Network, Mr. Das has consistently demonstrated his commitment to advancing sustainability in textiles. His visionary approach has led to the implementation of innovative strategies that not only benefit the environment but also enhance the social and economic aspects of the industry.
Let’s learn about his journey.
The InCAP: Mr. Jewel Chandra Das, please share your professional and academic peregrination for our readers!
Mr. Jewel Chandra Das: Greetings to all the readers. First, I will talk about my education, which was like studying BSc Engineering in Textile Technology for four years and MBA in Apparel Marketing for one year both from Primeasia University Banani Dhaka. Then started my career as an Internee in Supertax Group which was an export-oriented RMG factory and as my first job started working also there as an Industrial Engineer later promoted to Production Coordinator as an Assistant Manager, and served there for two years. Then I joined Green Project WST Limited as Water Ambassador which was a UNFCCC CDM project with LiDL brand; I worked for three years with that company. Then for four years I worked in an IFC-funded BGMEA-associated project TTBC and was a part of PaCT as a Textile Apparel Specialist. During the transition, I also worked in a local buying house Alfa Nama Fashion as a Merchandiser for a year. Currently, I am serving as a Senior officer in Solidaridad Network Asia with its Textile Apparel program operations.
Can you please briefly describe your journey into the field of textile engineering and sustainability?
As a textile engineer working for sustainability was my priority in line with the development of the sector by being a very important professional one. Being a textile professional with almost 10 years of experience in different segments of the industry including working in manufacturing facilities, international brands importer liaison office cum consultancy and audit firm, Project base advisory solutions, local buying house, Association and World Bank funded program, etc. I should consider myself to grow and contribute significantly to the most important part of the sector, which is Sustainability as the best option in the current scenario.
What inspired you to focus on sustainability within the textile industry?
Textile is a complex supply chain-based manufacturing industrial private sector business that carries many values in the economy of Bangladesh; employing a significant amount of the population. Textile sector is also polluting our precious environment with its by-products industrial solid waste and wastewater. This sector is also a cause for the maximum groundwater extraction which is a natural threat to the living communities in industrial zones to have their daily drinking water from underground. I’ve visited hundreds of factories and saw that the resources that are used for the production of garments such as water, dyes, chemicals, fabrics, other raw materials, energy and utilities, etc. everything can be possible to used in a more efficient way to be globally more competitive plus also for being environmentally friendly. This Resource efficiency and research of the latest technologies adaptation in the production systems inspires me to focus on the Sustainability section to grow with passion.
How does Solidaridad Network measure the impact of its sustainability initiatives in the textile industry?
Solidaridad is a civil society organization operating in many Countries in the field of Cotton, Textile, Leather, Gold, Mining, Agro etc. sectors. The Textile Apparel program is comparatively newer in its operation. Better Mill Initiative BMI, Reclaiming Sustainability RS, and Pathway to Prosperity P2P are three main textile projects with the most impactful initiatives by this organization. BMI emphasizes bringing sustainability in the wet process units like knit dyeing factories to be more resource efficient and environment friendly with the collaboration of a few international Brands. RS is trying to make changes with Policy advocacy and regulations level with the sectoral associations and govt departments focusing mainly on social and environmental issues. P2P offers workers for reskilling and ensuring employability, conducting knowledge sessions including different stakeholders’ levels and focusing on making collaborations for long-term sustainable development of the sector.
Mr. Jewel Chandra Das, please say something to the readers!
Thank you all very much for reading my thoughts in brief. I really feel very good having the opportunity to introduce everyone hereby. Wish best of luck for the InCAP and respectable readers. Let’s live and believe in Sustainability to every spare part of our life.
Quick Chat With Jewel Chandra Das
The most outstanding achievement of your life as of now:
My very loving Children by the grace of almighty God.
The greatest philosopher in your view:
Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa.
Your Icon:
Ratan Naval Tata, Fazle Hasan Abed.
Name the most influential books you have read:
Living with Honor by Shiv Khera Bengali version (বাঁচতে হবে সসম্মানে).
Your greatest fear:
At any day or night I’ll surely die forever with such uncertainty!
Best piece of advice you’ve received:
Try to be successful with a kind of true happiness with the family that is the most valuable in our life.
You in only three words:
Friendly, Visionary, Family man.
Skill Set
• Hard Skills: Problem-solving, Decision making, Critical thinking, Technical Skills, Team building and leading, Business communication, Immediate action, etc.
• Soft Skills: Integrity, Confidence, Emotional Intelligence, Creativity, Motivating surroundings, Ready Wit, Timely planning, etc.
Prayer for The Human Civilization:
War and poverty are the two most unfortunate enemies for human civilization. May all wars be stopped; peace be established among nations and all poverty be alleviated from the societies. Climate change is the latest biggest danger for the world to work to mitigate its affected immediately with all collective action among the nations. May God please give us the strength to fight with those to protect this planet for the next generation.
The InCAP: Thank you, Mr. Jewel Chandra Das! It’s a glittering conversation with you!
Mr. Jewel Chandra Das: My pleasure! Wish you all the best! Thank you.
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