President Murmu to attend 12th National Handloom Day celebrations on August 7
New Delhi, August 2
The Ministry of Textiles will celebrate the 12th National Handloom Day on August 7 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi to showcase India's handloom heritage and recognise the contribution of the handloom weaving community to the country's cultural and economic development.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Textiles, President Droupadi Murmu will attend the celebrations as the Chief Guest. Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao and Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr M Beena will also be present on the occasion.
According to the Ministry of Textiles, the event will be attended by Sant Kabir Handloom Awardees and National Handloom Awardees along with their family members, handloom weavers from across the country, members of the Awards Selection Committee, eminent personalities associated with the handloom sector, senior government officials, media representatives and other distinguished guests.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be the presentation of the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards for 2025. A total of 22 awards, including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards, will be conferred on handloom weavers for their craftsmanship, innovation and contribution to preserving India's handloom traditions.
The occasion will also witness the release of four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's diverse handloom weaving traditions.
Two publications--"Earth. Root. Thread - Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India" and the Handloom Awards Book 2025--will also be unveiled during the function.
An exhibition featuring award-winning handloom products will be organised on the sidelines of the celebrations. Visitors will also be able to witness live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving.
In addition to the main function on August 7, 2026, other significant events planned around the National Handloom Day include exhibitions, conclaves (designer, IIHT), etc.
According to the Ministry, 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 remains a custodian of India's rich textile traditions and an important contributor to environmentally sustainable production practices.
National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and India's handloom sector. The observance recognises the enduring contribution of handloom weavers to the country's cultural heritage and socio-economic development.
Since its inception in 2015, National Handloom Day has served as an occasion to celebrate the artistry, skill and dedication of India's handloom weavers while reaffirming the Government's commitment to the preservation, promotion and sustainable development of the handloom sector.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Swadeshi Movement connection makes this day truly special. But let's be honest - despite all these awards and celebrations, our weavers still struggle for fair wages and market access. Hope this isn't just a photo-op and leads to real policy changes.
22 awards and 35 lakh livelihoods — that's impressive scale. As someone who's bought Indian handloom products abroad, I can say there's genuine international demand for these crafts. Just needs better marketing and supply chain support.
The Sant Kabir awards are truly prestigious! My grandmother was a handloom weaver in Andhra Pradesh, and I've seen how this craft transforms lives. The postage stamps idea is sweet too - small but meaningful recognition. 👏
70% women workforce is something we should be shouting from rooftops! But still, I'd love to see more practical measures — better health insurance for weavers, GST simplifications, and support for young designers entering this space. Celebrations are good, implementation is better.
Shared this with my colleagues abroad. This is real cultural preservation, not just museum stuff. Live demonstrations of Kani weaving should be broadcast online so the world can see. India's soft power at its finest!
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