National Handlooms & Handicrafts Meet Concludes in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The two-day National Conference on Handlooms and Handicrafts concluded today at Hotel Taj Vivanta, Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s traditional craft sectors. Organized by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the conference saw participation from representatives of all States and Union Territories, serving as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and policy formulation aimed at revitalizing the handloom and handicrafts ecosystem across the country.

Neelam Shammi Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, appreciated the collaborative spirit among participants and stressed the need for a coordinated approach between State and Central agencies for holistic sectoral development. She highlighted the importance of technology adoption, cluster-based development, and market diversification to ensure sustainable livelihoods for artisans and weavers.

“Modern toolkits must be provided to artisans to reduce time, energy, and effort while ensuring better quality of finished products,” she said. “We must also minimize the gap between artisans and the government. Cluster-based development, designer engagement, online marketing, and aggressive promotion are key to the sector’s resurgence.”

Delivering the valedictory address, Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, called for a balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. She emphasized that handlooms and handicrafts are not merely economic assets but the living symbols of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Garg underlined the need for infrastructure improvement, raw material supply chain strengthening, construction of godowns, and creation of training and marketing institutions to enhance artisans’ welfare. She further urged that the younger generation be integrated into the sector through modern design exposure, improved patterns, and global market linkages, calling for an annual exhibition calendar and greater export promotion to expand India’s global footprint.

The conference also featured insights from M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), who discussed central government initiatives focused on scaling up production, strengthening market access, and promoting exports.

Representing the host state, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, highlighted Odisha’s ongoing efforts to empower artisans through skill development, cluster support, design innovation, and digital empowerment. She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building an enabling ecosystem that fosters creativity, sustainability, and inclusive growth.