Calico Cotton Mills Ltd

Company Service: Calico Cotton Mills Ltd. was a prominent textile mill located in Rajapur, Pabna. Established in 1888 by Sheth Karamchand Premchand, it became one of the earliest and most significant textile mills in the region. The mill flourished under the management of the Sarabhai family, particularly Ambalal Sarabhai, and was known for several pioneering achievements in the Indian textile industry. Notably, it was the first Indian mill to offer shareholders cloth at concessional rates and to manufacture cotton sewing thread, later expanding to produce 100% synthetic sewing thread. Despite its early successes, Calico Mills faced challenges over time, including outdated technology, financial difficulties, and changing market dynamics. In 1982, financial issues led to the layoff of approximately 12,400 workers in the weaving department. By 1995, the Board for Industrial and Financial Restructuring (BIFR) recommended its closure, and after legal proceedings, the mill was officially closed in 1998. Subsequently, its assets, including land, plant, and machinery, were auctioned in the 2010sThe legacy of Calico Mills is significant in the history of India's textile industry, reflecting both the industrial advancements and the challenges faced during its operation.