‘TN’s Florence Shoe is ‘Make in India’ pride story’

NEW DELHI: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the ‘Made in India’ label represents the country’s reputation and commitment to quality and stressed that quality is not just a corporate metric, but a national responsibility.

Goyal cited Tamil Nadu-based Florence Shoe Company’s global success as an example of how Indian entrepreneurs are strengthening Brand India’s image through world-class manufacturing.

Sharing the story of Florence Shoe Company founder Aqeel Ahmed Panaruna during a business plenary session in London on June 27, Goyal said a global customer spotted a luxury Hugo Boss shoe at Cairo Airport, checked its label and found it carried the words “Made in India”. The shoe had been manufactured by Panaruna’s company in Ambur, Tamil Nadu.

“When you label a product ‘Made in India’, you are representing a country,” he said. For entrepreneurs like Aqeel, quality is not just a corporate metric, it is a national responsibility, Goyal said in a social media post. “His work has not only put Indian craftsmanship on global shelves for iconic brands but has also driven large-scale rural employment, and pioneered sustainable zero liquid discharge technologies,” Goyal said.