August 7: National Handloom Day
The National Handloom Day is being observed annually on 7 August to honour the handloom weavers in the country and also carter an impetus to India’s handloom industry.
Significance of the Day: It seeks to highlight the contribution of handloom to the socioeconomic development of the country and promote handlooms to increase income of weavers and also enhance their pride.
This year it was second edition of the National Handloom Day after it was instituted. The main function of celebrate this day was held at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Besides, Sant Kabir Awards and National Handloom Awards were presented on this occasion.
Background
- The Union Government had declared 7 August as the National Handloom Day in July 2015 with the objective to generate awareness about importance of India’s handloom industry.
- The date August 7 was chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which was launched on this date in 1905 in the Calcutta Town hall to protest against partition of Bengal by the British Government. The movement had aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.
- The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated on 7 August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centenary Hall of Madras University in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He also had unveiled ‘India Handloom’ brand.
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Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016