New Delhi: The 10th National Handloom Day was celebrated today with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar as the chief guest. Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh and Minister of State Pabitra Margherita also attended the event.
In his address, Vice President Dhankhar emphasized that handloom products are a core component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Be Vocal for Local” campaign. He highlighted the importance of promoting handlooms in light of climate change, stating, “Promoting handlooms is the need of the hour, need of the country, and need of the planet.” He further noted that economic nationalism is fundamental to India’s economic growth and independence.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh spoke about India’s position as the world’s largest handloom community, focused on sustainability and energy efficiency. He pointed out that the handloom industry produces zero-carbon footprint and does not consume energy, making it a crucial player in the global move towards sustainable products. Singh also highlighted the zero-water footprint of the sector.
The Union Minister acknowledged that the celebration of National Handloom Day began on August 7, 2015, under the guidance of PM Modi. The date commemorates the Swadeshi Movement launched in 1905 to encourage weavers and indigenous industries. Singh praised PM Modi’s efforts to integrate technology, marketing, design, and fashion under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) and mentioned the government’s commitment to providing fair remuneration to weavers. He emphasized improving the textile value chain for better income opportunities for weavers and their families.
Highlighting the gender dynamics of the sector, Singh noted that 70% of handloom weavers in the country are women, making the handloom sector predominantly women-led. He urged weavers to pass on traditional weaving skills to their children and to utilize the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) to enhance their skills.
The Union Minister expressed optimism about the faster adoption of handloom products and encouraged officials to help India expand its handloom market worldwide, thereby boosting employment opportunities for weavers and their families.
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