President, PM back handloom sector, push e-commerce to expand global reach
The country’s handloom sector offers significant employment opportunities, and the reach of these products in global markets can be expanded through e-commerce platforms, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday.
Speaking at the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations here, she said about 35 lakh people are engaged in the sector and out of that over 25 lakh are women. She also exuded confidence that the sector will become a strong foundation for the country’s inclusive development.
The reach of India’s handloom products to global markets can be further strengthened through e-commerce platforms, the President said. She also conferred the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his Government will keep supporting the handloom sector, which he termed an “important pillar of rural empowerment, women-led development and fulfilling the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Conveying greetings on the National Handloom Day, PM Modi said India celebrates its rich and vibrant handloom heritage and also salutes the skill, creativity and dedication of the country’s weavers and artisans. He said they have preserved and enriched the traditions for generations.
“Our Government will keep supporting the handloom sector, which is an important pillar of rural empowerment, women-led development and fulfilling the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said in a post on social media.
The prime minister also appealed to people to share their favourite handloom products and GRWM (Great Ready with Me) videos using the hashtag “#NationalHandloomDay”, and said it will encourage those associated with the sector.
The National Handloom Day is celebrated annually on August 7. It commemorates the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which promoted indigenous goods and encouraged self-reliance.
On Thursday night, through an Instagram video, PM Modi appealed to everyone to buy handloom and make videos of handloom products for attracting people across the globe towards such materials. He also said that the celebration of the Handloom Day means a helping hand to the weavers and small traders.
