Consider the following statements with reference to the Cotton textile industry in India : 1. Cotton textile industry has, over time, spread to other parts of the country, beyond Gujarat and Maharashtra. 2. Raw cotton is not a weight-losing raw material. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Statement 1 is correct as the cotton textile industry in India has expanded significantly beyond its traditional hubs in Gujarat and Maharashtra. While initially concentrated in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, mills were established in diverse locations such as Kanpur, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Kolkata [1]. Today, the industry is spread across various states including Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh [1]. Statement 2 is also correct because cotton is considered a 'pure' raw material, meaning it is not a weight-losing material during the manufacturing process [2]. Unlike industries like sugar or iron and steel, where the raw material loses significant weight, cotton's weight remains relatively constant from raw fiber to finished yarn. This characteristic allows textile mills to be located either near raw material sources or close to market centers, as transport costs do not drastically favor one over the other [2].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > Cotton Textile Industry in India > p. 33
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > COTTON TEXTILE INDUSTRY > p. 9