- President Droupadi Murmu presents Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025.
- Four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India’s handloom traditions released.
- President calls for greater use of technology, digital solutions and e-commerce.
- Urges support for young entrepreneurs, designers and startups entering the handloom sector.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Aug: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday graced the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations in New Delhi and presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025, highlighting the importance of technology and youth participation in strengthening India’s traditional weaving sector.
The celebrations were held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, where four commemorative postage stamps showcasing India’s diverse handloom weaving traditions were also released.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said handloom has remained an integral part of India’s civilisational journey for centuries and reflects the extraordinary cultural and regional diversity of the country.
She said the sector plays an important role in generating employment, empowering women, preserving art and culture and promoting harmony with nature. Handloom, she added, also shares a historic connection with India’s freedom struggle and the spirit of self-reliance.
Recalling the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, in protest against the Partition of Bengal, the President said it sought to promote indigenous products, domestic industries and particularly the country’s handloom weavers. The government has observed August 7 as National Handloom Day since 2015 in recognition of that legacy.
President Murmu said the potential of handloom to emerge as a major human-centric component of India’s rural premium economy has strengthened significantly, with key clusters increasingly being integrated with modern technologies and contemporary training.
She stressed that appropriate use of new technologies would be essential for the sector’s sustainable development. Digital solutions could improve market access, while e-commerce platforms could significantly expand the reach of Indian handloom products in global markets, she said.
Youth Can Link Tradition With Global Markets
Highlighting the growing participation of young people, President Murmu said entrepreneurs, designers and startups could create new opportunities by connecting traditional crafts with contemporary trends, brands and global value chains.
She called for proactive support to young people through government schemes and institutions to help translate their enthusiasm, technology skills and innovative designs into long-term growth for the sector.
The President expressed confidence that handloom would continue to provide a strong foundation for India’s inclusive growth and self-reliance.
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is the country’s highest honour for handloom weavers, recognising exceptional craftsmanship, lifelong dedication and contributions to preserving India’s weaving traditions. The National Handloom Award recognises outstanding creativity, quality, innovation and excellence among weavers and other stakeholders.
