New Delhi, Aug 7: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called for the appropriate use of modern technology to ensure the sustainable growth of India’s handloom sector, saying young entrepreneurs, designers and startups can create new opportunities by connecting traditional crafts with contemporary trends, brands and global value chains.
Addressing the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, the President presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025, recognising excellence in India’s handloom tradition. Four commemorative postage stamps showcasing the country’s diverse handloom weaving traditions were also released on the occasion.
The President said the handloom sector has been an integral part of India’s civilisational journey, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural diversity while generating employment, empowering women and preserving traditional art forms.
Recalling that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on August 7, 1905, in protest against the Partition of Bengal, she said the movement promoted indigenous industries and handloom weaving. In its honour, the Government has been observing National Handloom Day every year since 2015.
Congratulating the weaving community, Murmu said the occasion celebrates India’s cultural diversity and recognises the collective efforts of the Government and artisans in establishing a premium global identity for Indian handloom products.
She observed that the country’s handloom sector has the potential to emerge as a key pillar of India’s rural premium economy, with major handloom clusters increasingly integrating modern technology, contemporary training methods and improved market access.
Highlighting government initiatives aimed at enhancing weavers’ incomes, the President said India’s handloom industry is steadily evolving into a “Verified Cultural Economy”, strengthening its international recognition.
She noted that a growing number of young entrepreneurs equipped with innovative designs and digital technologies are entering the sector. Calling for greater institutional support, she said government schemes should actively mentor young innovators to ensure the long-term growth of the industry.
The President also emphasised that digital technologies and e-commerce platforms can significantly expand market access and strengthen the global presence of Indian handloom products. She expressed confidence that the sector would continue to contribute to inclusive economic growth and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award, India’s highest honour for handloom weavers, recognises extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication and outstanding contributions towards preserving traditional weaving heritage. The National Handloom Awards recognise excellence in creativity, innovation, quality and the preservation of traditional skills while embracing modern techniques.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation on National Handloom Day and paid tribute to India’s weavers and artisans for preserving the country’s rich textile heritage through generations of craftsmanship.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister described the handloom sector as a vital pillar of rural empowerment, women-led development and Atmanirbhar Bharat, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to supporting the industry.
He also urged citizens to promote Indian handloom products by sharing their favourite handloom purchases and GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos on social media using the hashtag #NationalHandloomDay, saying such efforts would encourage artisans and strengthen the sector. (PIB)
Comments are closed.