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National Handloom Day 2025: On August 7, National Handloom Day celebrates India’s weaving legacy, GI tag products, and government efforts to support 3.5 million handloom artisans.
National Handloom Day was first celebrated in 2015 to honour the contributions of handloom workers in the country. (AI generated image)
National Handloom Day Date, History, Significance: The National Handloom Day will be observed across India on August 7, marking the 120th anniversary of the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 led by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Handloom Day was first celebrated in 2015 to honour the contributions of handloom workers in the country.
The government launched it to inspire and support workers within the handloom industry, reiterating the cultural impact of the handloom sector in India’s socio-economic development.
According to the government of India, around 3.5 million people are employed in the handloom sector, representing diverse backgrounds and cultures, with each region offering unique styles and patterns that stretch from the northernmost region in Jammu & Kashmir to the southernmost region in Thiruvananthapuram.
Among the rural lands and low-income households, the handloom industry has been particularly crucial in empowering women by providing them with essential resources to sustain their livelihood.
National Handloom Day 2025: History And Significance
Introduced in 2015 under PM Narendra Modi’s government, the National Handloom Day honours the Swadeshi Movement under Mahatma Gandhi, which also began on August 7 in 1905. While the Swadeshi Movement’s main aim was to boycott British goods, the National Handloom Day celebrates the other essential part of the movement inspired by Gandhi: to promote Indian-made products, making the country a self-reliant player in the handwoven textiles and instilling national pride.
The significance of the day lies in India’s rich legacy in handloom textiles. National Handloom Day reflects the government of India’s efforts to preserve the rich tradition and significant impact of the handloom industry, which is the second-largest employment-generating sector after agriculture, with more than 35 lakh artisans involved.
India produces 95 per cent of the world’s handwoven fabric. Over 70 per cent of weavers in India are women and make a heavy contribution to the textile exports and GDP.
National Handloom Day 2025: Products with GI Tags
In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, which was enacted in 2003, aims to safeguard handloom manufacturers’ interests by providing the Geographical Indication (GI) tags to products with a specific geographic origin and distinct qualities.
The GI tags protect these products from any illegal usage, including imitation, which helps eradicate scenarios where customers may end up paying for unauthentic goods.
Preventing the exploitation of GIs has also played a huge role in boosting the market value of these products. The following are some of the products with GI tags:
- Barabanki Handloom Products (Uttar Pradesh)
- Chedibutta Saree (Tamil Nadu)
- Jodhpur Bandhej Craft (Rajasthan)
- Basohli Pashmina Woollen Products (J&K)
- Rangwali Pichhoda of Kumaon (Uttarakhand)
- Tangail Saree (West Bengal)
- Garad Saree (West Bengal)
- Korial saree (West Bengal)
Government Initiatives to Support Handloom Weavers
- GeM Onboarding: Under this initiative, the government of India directly purchases goods from weavers as per the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) model.
- Handloom Producer Companies: The GOI formed 124 companies across states, while providing UNDP aid in the capacity building of 100 of these companies.
- Engagement with E-commerce Entities: To expand the market and handloom products, the government joined hands with 23 e-commerce platforms under this initiative.
- Design Resource Centres (DRCs): They aim to enhance the quality of handloom production in major cities.
- Weavers’ Welfare Scheme: It includes various initiatives, such as National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS), Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS), and Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata.
- Handloom Export Scheme: It helps take the regional handloom craft and products on an international stage at various fairs outside India.
- Weaver MUDRA Scheme: The GOI provides financial assistance for working capital and new technology investments under this scheme.
- Cluster Development Programme: It provides valuable support and funds for infrastructure, capacity building and market access to handloom manufacturers.
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te…Read More
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te… Read More
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