PM to launch first 'National Handloom Day' Aug 07

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Saurabh Gupta | 01 Aug, 2015
After considering the requests received from several quarters, the Central Government has decided to declare 7th August as National Handloom Day, every year beginning from this year 2015, throughout the country.

"The first National Handloom Day will be launched by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Chennai on 7th August, 2015," informed Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge), at a press conference in New Delhi Friday.

"The Sant Kabir Awards and National Awards for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 will be awarded and a new 'India Handloom' brand for better market positioning of quality handloom products would be launched on this occasion," he added.

The minister said that observance of National Handloom Day would generate awareness about the importance of handloom industry as a part of our rich heritage and culture, promote handloom products and lead to increase in income of weavers as well as enhance their confidence and pride.

Over 43 lakh persons are engaged in handloom weaving and allied activities in India as per the last handloom census. "This industry is a source of livelihood to large section of rural population particularly women, and BPL families, in addition to this being a part of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of our country," he added.

All State Governments have been requested to arrange celebration of this day all over the country by encouraging active participation of all segments of the society, the minister told media.