President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged greater adoption of modern technology and digital platforms to ensure the sustainable growth of India’s handloom sector, while emphasising the need to encourage young entrepreneurs, designers and startups to connect traditional crafts with contemporary markets and global value chains.
The President was addressing the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC), where she presented the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 in recognition of outstanding craftsmanship, innovation and contributions to preserving India’s rich weaving traditions.
On the occasion, President Murmu also released four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India’s diverse handloom weaving traditions and unveiled “Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India”, a publication of the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms documenting India’s weaving heritage and excellence in the sector.
Addressing the gathering, the President said handloom has been an integral part of India’s civilisational journey for centuries, reflecting the country’s extraordinary cultural diversity while preserving regional identities. She noted that the sector plays a vital role in generating employment, empowering women, promoting art and culture, and encouraging environmentally sustainable practices.
Recalling the historical significance of the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, she said it gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries, particularly the handloom sector. National Handloom Day, observed every year since 2015, commemorates this movement while celebrating the artistry and dedication of India’s weaving community.
“The appropriate use of new technologies is essential for the sustainable development of this sector,” the President said, adding that digital solutions can significantly improve market access and enable Indian handloom products to reach consumers across the world through e-commerce platforms.
She said the handloom sector has the potential to emerge as a leading example of India’s human-centric rural premium economy, with key weaving clusters increasingly integrating modern technology and contemporary training methods. The Government, she noted, is implementing several initiatives to enhance weavers’ incomes and strengthen India’s image as a “Verified Cultural Economy” in global markets.
Highlighting the growing participation of youth in the sector, President Murmu said many young entrepreneurs equipped with technology and innovative design capabilities are entering the handloom industry. She stressed the need for proactive institutional support through government schemes and training programmes to help them build sustainable enterprises.
“Young entrepreneurs, designers and startups can create new opportunities in this field by linking traditional crafts with modern trends, brands and global value chains,” she said, while appreciating the work of Design Resource Centres under the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology and Weavers’ Service Centres in encouraging youth participation.
During the ceremony, the President conferred three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards, the country’s highest honour for handloom weavers, and 19 National Handloom Awards for the year 2025. The awards recognise exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, quality and lifelong contributions towards preserving and promoting India’s traditional weaving heritage while embracing contemporary techniques.
The event was attended by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena, awardees, handloom weavers, members of the awards selection committee, industry representatives and senior government officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening the handloom sector through policy support, technology adoption, design innovation, market promotion, skill development and welfare initiatives. Pabitra Margherita highlighted the importance of innovation, youth participation and expanding global market opportunities while preserving India’s rich handloom traditions.
An exhibition of award-winning handloom products was organised alongside the ceremony, while visitors witnessed live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and Wall Hanging weaving, showcasing the diversity and artistic excellence of India’s handloom heritage.
The celebrations reaffirmed Textiles Ministry’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s handloom traditions while strengthening the sector through continued support for artisans, innovation, design development and improved market access. The occasion also recognised the enduring contribution of India’s handloom weavers to the country’s cultural heritage, rural livelihoods and sustainable development.
