Dilip Guha, New Delhi : Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the 11th National Handloom Day exhibition and conferred prestigious Handloom Awards at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 7th August,2025. National Handloom Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, launched on August 7, 1905, which promoted indigenous industries, especially handlooms, as a form of resistance to British rule. The exhibition will run till the 9th of August 2025.
The first National Handloom Day exhibition was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015 in Chennai.
The celebration of the 11th National Handloom Day was marked by a vibrant showcase of India’s rich weaving legacy and innovative designs. Among the key highlights was the unveiling of a Coffee Table Book on handloom excellence by NIFT Mumbai, offering a visual and narrative tribute to the artistry of Indian weavers. Attendees were treated to an exclusive exhibition featuring award-winning handloom products, showcasing the diversity and craftsmanship of products across the country. A facilitation desk provided insights into various handloom schemes, empowering artisans with access to resources and support. The event also featured a captivating fashion show titled “Vastra Veda – The Handloom Heritage of India,” which celebrated traditional textiles through contemporary design. Adding to the immersive experience, specially curated films on handlooms were launched, deepening public appreciation for the sector’s cultural and economic significance. Various exhibitions and educational initiatives are being organised to create greater awareness and provide direct access to customers, showcasing exclusive handloom, handicraft, and khadi products.
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. 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.
The event was graced by Minister of State for 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 the 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.
The Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK), in collaboration with NIFT, has marked its presence by exhibiting its selective collections at the IIHE exhibition. Conceived by the Ministry of MSME to support the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), CoEK serves as a hub for experimentation, innovation and design in Khadi fabrics, apparel, accessories, and home fashions. It aims to build on Khadi’s rich legacy, forging connections with high-end domestic and international markets while promoting mindful and conscious living.
CoEK works with Khadi institutions across India, including those in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. At IIHE, CoEK is located in Hall 14, Stall E6, presenting a curated collection of apparel and home products developed in collaboration with these institutions. The display highlights the essence of Khadi: simple, timeless and enduring.
Many dignitaries, including Honourable Textile Minister, Shri Giriraj Singh, Dr M Beena – DC (Handlooms), Ms. Amrit Raj, DC (Handicrafts), Mr. Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Ms Shubhra – Trade Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, visited the stall and appreciated the CoEK collections.
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh honoured India’s handloom weaving excellence on the occasion. In his address, he emphasised the growing significance of the textile sector in India’s economic framework, noting its emergence as the country’s second-largest employment generator. Extending heartfelt congratulations to all National Handloom Award recipients, the Minister reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, advocating for entrepreneurship in the handloom sector. He encouraged the use of schemes like Mudra Yojana to empower weavers and small-scale entrepreneurs. Shri Singh also stressed the importance of product diversification, the promotion of natural fibres such as ramie and linen, and the nurturing of second-generation handloom entrepreneurs through the support of 797 handloom clusters nationwide. His remarks reflected a forward-looking approach to preserving tradition while embracing innovation.
He also stated that the Government is working towards protecting indigenous designs through cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain, 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. The Union Minister appealed to citizens to wear handlooms 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 a tribute to the Swadeshi movement, and handwoven fabrics became a symbol of resistance, pride, and identity. Honourable 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 is ushering a new era of growth and innovation in the 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.
