National Handloom Day is celebrated every year on 7 August. The day is celebrated to honour the contributions of the handloom weaving community in the socio-economic development of India.
It is also observed to raise awareness about India's handloom heritage, to protect it, and to empower the handloom weavers and workers with greater and better opportunities.
To celebrate the day, the Ministry of Textiles will organise a function at the Convention Centre, The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
According to the official press release, the day will be presided over by Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana Jardosh will be Guest of Honour.
National Handloom Day: History
First National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7 August 2015, and was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai.
Indian handloom holds a great cultural significance in history. Apart from that, livelihoods of many people in rural and semi-rural parts of India are dependent on it. Therefore, it becomes very important to acknowledge it and work toward its development.
To celebrate the day, Ministry of Textile is setting up Handloom Craft Villages at three places:
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Mohpara Village, District Golaghat, Assam
Kanihama, Budgam, Srinagar
The aim is to to provide additional attraction for the domestic and international tourists and promote the well-known handloom & handicraft products of the region.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)