India Celebrates National Handloom Day, 2020

Lifestyle: The handloom sector is one of the major symbols of the cultural heritage of India. Apart from that, it continues to be an important source of livelihood, especially for women, who form around 70% of the weavers or allied workers in the sector, according to the ministry statement. The day is celebrated to honor the handloom community, and acknowledge their contribution towards India’s socio-economic development. The aim is to resolve and to protect this heritage and also to empower the workers in this sector.

This year, as part of the social media campaign, the ministry has requested all the Union Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Ministers, MPs as well as industrials of eminence to stand in solidarity with the handloom weaving community of the country through their social media accounts. Apart from that, the Secretaries to the central government and officers at equivalent levels have also been presented with a similar request.

National Handloom Day is observed annually on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi movement that started on the same day in 1905. The day aims to raise awareness about the handloom industry and honor the contribution of weavers to socio-economic development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to promote handmade products on the occasion of National Handloom Day. Several celebrities also took to social media to spread the message of “vocal for local” products.

Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani also tweeted, “Handloom can enrich our daily lives and surrounding in many ways; from clothing to furnishing to Masks in COVID times to wall hanging. Bring home handmade in India!”