PM envisages about women led economy and women can contribute a great deal in handloom and handicrafts sector: Shri Giriraj Singh

New Delhi , 16 November , 2024 -Union Minister of Textiles Shri. Giriraj Singh inaugurated the Textile Pavilion under the Special Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition cum Sale at India International Trade Fair (IITF) in the august presence of Shri. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles Shri. Giriraj Singh and Shri. Pabitra Margherita visited various stalls in the pavilion and interacted with Handloom weavers and artisans. Speaking at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF), HMOT emphasized the importance of carbon fibers in the textile industry and India is focusing on amplification of Technical Textiles. There are 12 verticals or sectors in Technical Textiles, HMOT added. PM has given ₹1500/- crores for R&D in this sector and our country giving more attention in the export of Technical Textiles and Technical textiles will become the economic backbone of India, said Shri Giriraj Singh. As India celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, theme of this event is inspired by ‘Janjatiya’ community, HMOT added.

Shri. Giriraj Singh emphasized that the Government is trying to improve the textile value chain for better income opportunities for the weavers and their families. He also said that India has the largest handloom community in the world focused around sustainability and energy efficiency. The world is moving towards usage of sustainable products and handloom industry produces zero-carbon footprint and does not consume any energy and Handloom industry is also a zero-water footprint sector.

Sh. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, while visiting the exhibition and live display of handloom and handicrafts, has stressed upon strengthening handloom and handicrafts to boost production and to increase their earnings to engage communities. He also emphasized the importance of preserving India’s rich craft heritage while adapting to modern market needs. Smt. Rachna Shah, Secretary Textiles, Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner, Handloom and other senior officers of Ministry of Textiles attended the inaugural function.

Attractions of Special Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition at Bharat Mandapam as noted below

206 number of stalls (Total 27 states representing Handloom & Handicrafts) 100 Handloom (22 states representing)

100 Handicrafts (27 states representing)

06 for Theme Pavilion (Theme – TRIBAL TREASURES OF INDIAN TEXTILES)

08 Live Handloom, Art/ Crafts Demonstration [ Kani Shawl (J&K), Tangaliya/ Kutchi Shawl (Gujarat), Kullu/ Kinnauri Shawl (H.P.), Loin Loom (Manipur and Nagaland), Horn & Bone Craft (U.P.), Bhagalpuri Silk (Bihar), Bagh Print (Odisha)]

B2B interaction sessions of Retailers/ Brands etc with Handloom weavers.

Hon’ble Prime Minister during Mann ki Baat (112th episode) appreciated that the work of handloom artisans is spread across every corner of the country and the way handloom products have made their place in the hearts of people is very successful, tremendous, and also urged to upload photos with local products on social media with the hashtag ‘#MyProductMyPride’.

The Handloom and Handicraft sector is a symbol of our country’s rich and varied cultural heritage. The handloom sector of India employs 35 lakh persons directly or indirectly which is next only to the agricultural sector in the country. The art of handloom weaving and handicrafts has traditional values attached to it and each region has exquisite varieties.

The uniqueness of products such as Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, Madhubani, Kosa, Ikkat, Patola, Tussar Silk, Maheshwari, Moirang Phee, Baluchari, Phulkari, Laheriya, Khandua, Tangaliya,Madhubani Painting, Warley Painting, Art Metal Ware, Kathputli, Hand Block Printing, Chikankari, Tie & Dye, Wall Hanging, Terracotta, Imitation Jewellery etc name a few attracts customers across the globe with exclusives weaves, designs, and traditional motifs.

Government of India has launched the various schemes for Handloom and Handicrafts for branding of high-quality products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment to encourage and to give a distinct identity to the products, apart from highlighting the uniqueness of the products. It also serves a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely handcrafted. All the exhibitors at the exhibition have been encouraged to display their exquisite products and thus aim to improve the market for their products and earnings of the handloom and handicrafts community.

“Special Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition cum Sale” is an initiative of the office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms and Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India through National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) Ltd. to provide direct access to the handloom weavers and artisans to market their products to consumers. The exhibition enables an interface between the weavers and consumers.