National Handloom Day: Express solidarity with weavers

The textiles ministry has extended a similar request to Secretaries to the Government of India and equivalent level officers. Besides, all the secretaries of the states, exports promotion councils, sister textile bodies like Central Silk Board, National Jute Board have been requested to amplify the social media campaign under the common hashtag and inspiring associates and employees to embrace handloom fabric, a textiles ministry press release said.

E-commerce entities, retail companies and designer bodies have also been requested to promote and amplify the efforts of ministry of textiles to promote handloom products and motivate others to do the same.

Handloom sector is a symbol of the country’s glorious cultural heritage and an important source of livelihood in the country. The sector is key to women empowerment as over 70 per cent of handloom weavers and allied workers are women.

7^th August was chosen as the National Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on the same date in the year 1905. The objective is to generate awareness about handloom industry amongst public at large and its contribution to the socio-economic development.

The first National Handloom Day was held on 7th August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai. On this day, the handloom weaving community is honoured and the contribution of this sector in the socio-economic development of the country is highlighted. "The resolve to protect our handloom heritage and to empower the handloom weavers and workers with greater opportunities is reaffirmed. The Government endeavours to ensure sustainable development of the handloom sector thereby empowering our handloom weavers and workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship," the release said.

Prime Minister Modi has urged that "it should be an endeavour on part of all of us to use Indian handlooms and handicrafts and also communicate to other people about them. The more the world knows about the richness and diversity of these products, the greater our artisans and weavers will benefit."

"On National Handloom Day, we salute all those associated with our vibrant handloom and handicrafts sector. They have made commendable efforts to preserve the indigenous crafts of our nation. Let us all be #Vocal4Handmade and strengthen efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat," Modi said in his message on National Handloom Day today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)