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Textiles sector has now emerged as the second-largest employment-generating sector in the country: Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister urged designers and weavers to collaborate in creating contemporary handloom products that appeal to youth across the country. Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the 11th National Handloom Day and conferred prestigious Handloom Awards today at New Delhi. Minister of State of External Affairs and Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Member of Parliament, Smt. Kangana Ranaut, Secretary Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Additional Secretary, Textiles Shri Rohit Kansal, DC Handlooms, Dr. M Beena, Members of Parliament from different constituencies and senior officials from Ministry graced the event. Foreign buyers, eminent personalities, exporters and around 650 weavers all across the country attended the function. The highlight of the celebration was the conferring of the prestigious Sant Kabir and National Handloom Awards to 24 outstanding master weavers, including six women and one Divyang artisan, in recognition of their contributions to the preservation, innovation and excellence in India’s weaving traditions.
While addressing the event Union Minister, Shri Giriraj Singh, highlighted the growing importance of the textile sector in India’s economic landscape, stating that it has now emerged as the second-largest employment-generating sector in the country and Union Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to all National Handloom award winners. Reiterating the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the Minister underscored the need to promote entrepreneurship in the handloom sector, leveraging schemes such as the Mudra Yojana to empower weavers and small-scale entrepreneurs. He stressed on product diversification, promotion of natural fibers like ramie and linen and support for second-generation handloom entrepreneurs, especially through the 797 handloom clusters across the country. Union Minister also stated that the Government is working towards protecting indigenous designs through cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Block Chain, ensuring the intellectual property rights of Indian weavers and designers are safeguarded. Shri Giriraj Singh urged the young generation to actively engage with the handloom industry and called upon designers and weavers to collaborate in creating contemporary handloom products that appeal to youth across the country. Union Minister appealed to citizens to wear handloom at least once a week, supporting the rich tradition of Indian craftsmanship.
Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita stated that this National Handloom Day stands as tribute to Swadeshi movement and handwoven fabrics became a symbol of resistance, pride and identity. Honorable Prime Minister’s vision for vocal for local and local for global is becoming a living reality and under the guidance of Union Minister, shri Giriraj Singh, the Ministry of Textiles ushering the new era of growth and innovation in handloom sector he added. Shri Pabitra Margherita highlighted initiatives like the Handloom Mark and India Handloom Brand which are transforming Indian handloom fabrics into global symbols of sustainability.
After the event the dignitaries were taken on a curated walkthrough of award-winning handloom exhibits, showcasing the diverse artistry and regional richness of Indian weaving.
The celebration also featured:
- The unveiling of a Coffee Table Book on handloom excellence by NIFT Mumbai
- An exclusive exhibition of award-winning handloom products
- A facilitation desk on handloom schemes
- A fashion show titled “Vastra Veda – The Handloom Heritage of India”
- The launch of specially curated films on Handlooms
About National Handloom Day:
National Handloom Day is celebrated annually on 7th August to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which encouraged the use of indigenous products and promoted the handloom industry. The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in 2015 in Chennai.
The handloom sector employs over 35 lakh people across India, with more than 70% being women. It remains a vital source of sustainable livelihoods, women’s empowerment and eco-friendly production, while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.
This year’s celebrations brought together weavers, artisans, designers, IIHT and NIFT students, Handloom Hackathon winners, exporters, foreign buyers, senior Government officials and other stakeholders from across the country, reaffirming the sector’s role as the fabric of India’s heritage and future.
Source : https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2153746#:~:text=Union%20Minister%20urged%20designers%20and,to%20youth%20across%20the%20country&text=Union%20Minister%20of%20Textiles%20Shri%20Giriraj%20Singh%20inaugurated%20the%2011,Awards%20today%20at%20New%20Delhi.