from our daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, Dec 16: Tamil Nadu's Co-Optex, a cooperative society of handloom weavers, is vying for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for weaving the "most colourful sari".

"Fifteen weavers have designed a silk sari with 1,64,492 colours in 45 days. We have sent all the details about this unique product to the Guinness Book authorities and we are sure to notch a place in it," M P Nirmala, special officer of Co-Optex, told reporters here.

The Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers' Cooperative Society Ltd, popularly known as Co-Optex, has all seven wonders painted on the sari.

"Colours of this sari are certified by the Government of India's Textile Committee, depicting the elaborate carvings on the ceiling of the Madurai Meenakshi temple," she said during an exhibition of Co-Optex products in Goa that was inaugurated by Governor S C Jamir on Saturday morning.

The sari has 164 shades in its length while 1,003 shades in its width.

What has excited the Co-Optex officials is that it has already begun evincing interest from the customers.
"We have received two orders from the US, two from Saudi Arabia, seven from Chennai," Nirmala said.

Co-Optex, which generates revenue for two lakh weavers, is trying to scale up its profits after incurring losses for the last five years.
 
"There was a fall in handloom sale all over India but now it is picking up," Nirmala said disclosing the Co-Optex's ambitious plans for e-marketing.
 
This Rs 500-crore turnover society with Rs 5 crore exports intends to peg up its sales further with the help of internet wherein any buyer would be able to purchase their products online.