The National Handloom Day(NHD) is annually observed across India on 7th August to create awareness about the handloom works in India and to recognise its contribution to the socio-economic development of India.
The annual celebration of the national Handloom day is organised by the Ministry of Textiles.
Background:
i.In 2015, the Government of India declared the 7th August of every year as National Handloom Day.
ii.The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th August 2015 at the Centenary Hall of Madras University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Why August 7?
August 7 was chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement which took place on 7th August 1905 in Calcutta Townhall.
Swadeshi Movement:
The Swadeshi Movement launched on 7th August 1905was a part of the independence movement of India which contributed to the development of indigenous industries which includes the handloom weavers.
Events 2021:
i.The Ministry of Textiles has established 3 handloom craft villages in Kerala, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) in collaboration with the respective state governments.
- The 3 handloom craft villages are located at,
- Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Mohpara Village, District Golaghat, Assam.
- Kanihama, Budgam, Srinagar, J&K.
- The craft village aims to provide additional attractions for domestic and international tourists and promote the handloom and craft products of the region.
ii.The Design Resource Centre(DRC) established in the Weavers Service Centre (WSC) at Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu was inaugurated.
iii.The building of the WSCs in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh was also inaugurated.
- The DRCs at all the WSCs are being established through the National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT) to promote design-oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector.
My Handloom My Pride Expo
As a part of the celebration of 7th National Handloom Day, The National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) has organised the national-level expo, “My Handloom My Pride Expo”, at Dilli Haat, New Delhi from 1st August to 15th August 2021.
Handloom products from across India:
Andhra Pradesh – Kalamkari; Bihar – Bhagalpuri tussar silk; Karnataka – Ilkal silk; Madhya Pradesh – Chanderi; Odisha – Sambalpuri Ikat; Punjab – Phulkari; Uttar Pradesh – Banarasi sarees; WestBenga – Jamdani sarees; Tamil Nadu- Salem sarees; Telangana – Pochampally Ikat sarees.
About Ministry of Textiles:
Union Minister– Piyush Goyal(Rajya Sabha – Maharashtra)
Minister of State– Darshana V Jardosh(Constituency- Surat, Gujarat)
