Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon people across the country to celebrate National Handloom Day on August 7 by showcasing India’s rich and diverse handloom heritage and promoting indigenous handloom products on social media.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister encouraged citizens to share videos featuring their favourite handloom products, including “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos, to popularise India’s traditional weaving legacy.
“Tomorrow, 7th August is National Handloom Day. Let’s make India’s handloom diversity popular. Share your videos with your favourite handloom products, including GRWM videos on social media. Don’t forget to use #NationalHandloomDay,” the Prime Minister said.
The appeal comes as the Ministry of Textiles prepares to celebrate the 12th National Handloom Day at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi on August 7, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to preserving, promoting and strengthening India’s centuries-old handloom tradition while recognising the invaluable contribution of the country’s weaving community to the nation’s cultural and economic development.
President Droupadi Murmu will attend the celebrations as the Chief Guest and present the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025. The event will also be attended by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, industry representatives, master weavers, designers, exporters, artisans and award recipients from across the country.
A major highlight of the event will be the presentation of 22 national awards, including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards, recognising excellence in weaving, innovation, design development, marketing initiatives, start-up ventures and producer companies associated with the handloom sector.
Instituted under the Handloom Marketing Assistance component of the National Handloom Development Programme, the awards represent the highest national recognition for excellence in India’s handloom ecosystem. The Sant Kabir Handloom Award honours exceptional craftsmanship and lifelong dedication to preserving India’s weaving traditions, while the National Handloom Award recognises outstanding creativity, quality, innovation and excellence among handloom weavers and other stakeholders. The awardees are selected through a rigorous multi-level evaluation process to ensure transparency and merit-based recognition.
The celebrations will also feature the release of four commemorative postage stamps showcasing India’s diverse handloom traditions. Two publications—Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India and the Handloom Awards Book 2025—will be unveiled during the event.
Visitors will also be able to explore an exhibition of award-winning handloom products, while live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving will offer a glimpse into the intricate craftsmanship and artistic diversity of India’s weaving traditions.
Apart from the national event in New Delhi, exhibitions, designer conclaves, Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHT) conclaves and various promotional programmes are being organised across the country to mark National Handloom Day.
India’s handloom sector remains one of the country’s largest providers of sustainable rural employment, supporting the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people, with women accounting for over 70 per cent of the workforce. Beyond its economic significance, the sector serves as a custodian of India’s rich textile heritage while promoting environmentally sustainable production practices.
Observed annually on August 7, National Handloom Day commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and India’s handloom sector. Since its inception in 2015, the observance has celebrated the artistry, skill and dedication of India’s handloom weavers while reinforcing the Government’s commitment to the preservation, promotion and sustainable development of the country’s vibrant handloom heritage.
