National Handloom Day

The Indian National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7th August since 2015 by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

It aims to honor and highlight the various workers employed in the Indian handloom industry.

This year, the 5th iteration of the National Handloom’s Day was organized.

What happened?

• The National Handloom Day will be organized on the date of 7th August as it seeks to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on August 7 in 1905 in the Calcutta Townhall.
• The Swadeshi Movement was launched to protest the partition of Bengal by the British Government.
• The movement had aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.
• While a smaller event was organized to mark the National Handloom Day in the presence of Minister of Textiles in New Delhi, the main event will be held in the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar.
• The selection of Bhubaneswar is based on its location and its rich tradition of handlooms.
• Over 50% of Indian weavers live in the Eastern and the North Eastern Regions and require greater access to resources and government support.
• Most Indian handloom workers are women and the income from handloom is an additional support to the financial conditions to their family.
• The prime objective of holding this year’s National Handloom Day in the city of Bhubaneswar is to improve and empower women and girls.

What will be organized?

• The event will be observed in the national capital, the main event at Bhubaneswar, in the various state capitals and at Weavers’ Service Centres in different states.
• The ministry will organize the distribution of Pehchan cards, Yarn Passbooks, MUDRA loans, lighting units and certificates for construction of work sheds.

Karigar

The international e-commerce giant, Amazon has decided to launch the “Karigar store”. It aims to showcase over 55,000 traditional handloom products.?

This will include over than 270 arts and crafts from 20 states.

This initiative by the Amazon aims to give significant prominence to various Indian traditional handicrafts heritage by enabling weavers and artisans.