Special Handloom Expo for Women Self-Help Groups Inaugurated in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Special Handloom Expo for Women Self-Help Groups was inaugurated today at Ekamra Haat, Bhubaneswar, with the esteemed presence of Pranati Chhotray, Managing Director of Boyanika, who officially launched the event. The inaugural ceremony was further graced by senior officials, including Shri Bikramaditya Barik, Director of Textiles & Handlooms, Odisha; Smt. Indira Behera, Special Officer, Directorate of Textiles, Bhubaneswar; Shri Surya Narayan Pattnaik, Additional Director of Sericulture; and Shri Debjit Nandy, Joint Director of Textiles, among other dignitaries from the Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts Department.

This initiative, sponsored by the Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts Department of the Government of Odisha, is part of the Promotion of Handloom Industry (POHI) scheme for the year 2024-25. It is organized by the Directorate of Textiles, Odisha and implemented through the State Agency for Development of Handloom Clusters (SADHAC), an autonomous organization under the same department.

The Special Handloom Expo aims to empower women from various Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the state, providing them with a platform to showcase and sell their handloom products. These women weavers, representing regions such as Bargarh, Cuttack, Sonepur, Athagarh, Boudh, Bolangir, Khordha, Baripada, Balasore, Berhampur, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Koraput, and Sundargarh, will display an exquisite range of products, including dress materials, fabrics, and home décor items. The initiative will not only boost the sales of these handmade products but also ensure regular employment for the women involved.

The Expo serves as a unique opportunity for customers to explore and purchase handloom products from across Odisha at reasonable prices. This platform highlights the rich and diverse handloom traditions of the state, offering a chance to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of Odisha’s finest weavers. The Special Expo will remain open for the public from February 24, 2025, to March 10, 2025, with daily timings from 11 AM to 10 PM.