Amit Shah extends National Handloom Day greetings, urges support for India's weavers
New Delhi, August 7
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday extended greetings on National Handloom Day, describing India's handloom sector as an integral part of the country's freedom movement and cultural heritage while urging citizens to support weavers by making handloom products a part of their daily lives.
In a post on X, Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with instituting National Handloom Day and highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen the sector through domestic support initiatives and global trade opportunities.
"Greetings on #NationalHandloomDay. India's handloom sector, which was closely associated with our freedom movement, represents India's rich cultural heritage and diversity. To preserve the craft of handloom weaving and give it a new dimension, Modi Ji introduced National Handloom Day. Moreover, by opening up new opportunities for weavers through global trade agreements and domestic support, the Modi govt is promoting the sector. May this day renew our resolve to support the sector by making its products a part of our daily lives," Shah wrote.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to the country's weaving community, describing India's handloom tradition as a "living legacy" sustained through generations of craftsmanship.
"India's handloom tradition is a living legacy, woven with artistry, resilience and generations of craftsmanship. On #NationalHandloomDay, we salute the weavers and artisans whose dedication keeps this priceless heritage alive while creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering rural communities. Every handwoven creation reflects the richness of our culture and the spirit of self-reliance. Let us celebrate their invaluable contribution by choosing handloom, supporting local artisans, and strengthening the vision of Vocal For Local and an Atmanirbhar Bharat," he posted on his official X handle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also marked the occasion by celebrating India's handloom heritage and reiterating the government's commitment to supporting weavers and artisans.
In his message on X, he described the handloom sector as an important pillar of rural empowerment, women-led development and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
PM Modi also encouraged people to share their favourite handloom products and "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) videos using the hashtag #NationalHandloomDay to promote awareness about the traditional textile sector.
National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, which encouraged the use of indigenous products and gave renewed impetus to India's handloom industry.
The observance was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
The Ministry of Textiles is celebrating the 12th National Handloom Day at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu is attending the event as the chief guest, where the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards for 2025 will be presented to recognise excellence in craftsmanship and contributions to preserving India's handloom traditions.
According to the Ministry of Textiles, India's handloom sector supports the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people, with women accounting for over 70 per cent of the workforce. The sector continues to play a significant role in preserving India's textile heritage while contributing to sustainable production practices.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but the ground reality is different. Many weavers in my village still struggle to get fair prices for their work. Handloom products are expensive and the competition from power looms is tough. The government should do more on the ground level - fair wages, better marketing, and easier access to loans. Let's support handloom, but also demand better implementation.
Proud moment for India! 35 lakh people earning livelihoods through handloom, and 70% women - that's empowerment in action. I've started buying only handloom cotton shirts and the quality is amazing. Let's make handloom fashionable again, not just for festivals but for daily wear! 🇮🇳 #NationalHandloomDay
As someone who has studied Indian textiles, this is fascinating. The handloom sector isn't just about fabric - it's about sustainability, cultural identity, and community resilience. Glad to see such strong policy support. The "GRWM" hashtag idea is smart too - it brings handloom into everyday conversations, especially among younger Indians.
I remember reading about the Swadeshi Movement in school - handloom was a symbol of resistance and self-reliance back then, and it still holds that power today. The fact that PM Modi started this annual day in 2015 shows genuine respect for our artisans. Let's not let these weavers fade into obscurity - buy handloom, celebrate heritage! 🧵✨
The sentiment is good, but we need to talk about market access. I've seen handloom clusters in Varanasi and they
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.