First National Handloom Day Celebrations in India

Occassion: National Handloom Day

Observed Day : August 7th

Place : Chennai

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, said handlooms can be a tool to fight poverty, just as swadeshi was a tool in the struggle for freedom
•  emphasized that India, whose handicrafts were once in demand across all continents, had not been able to market its handloom products well in recent times.
• world becoming progressively more aware about the environment and holistic healthcare, there is a need to highlight the eco-friendly aspects of handloom products.
•  The Prime Minister launched the India Handloom Brand for better market positioning of quality handloom products.
•  The PM also presented the Sant Kabir Awards and National Awards for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 to distinguished handloom personalities.
• The Prime Minister recalled his appeal on the radio programme "Mann KiBaat" in October last year, for all households to keep at least one Khadi product at home. He said that he had been informed that Khadi sales have risen by 60 percent since then. He said a similar effort now has to be made for handloom products.
• As per Handloom Census of 2009-10, over 43 lakh persons are engaged in handloom weaving and allied activities in India.
•  recalled that it is in memory of the Swadeshi movement that the National Handloom Day is being observed.
•  The day will be observed to 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.