Need to take Handlooms to Next level of Growth. Sector should become strong enough and prosper without depending much on State support. Handloom Craft Villages set up at Kanihama, J&K, Kovalam, Kerala, and Mohpara, Golaghat Assam.
The minister announced that a Committee will be constituted consisting of all weavers, trainers equipment makers , marketing experts and other stake holders to recommend ways and means to achieve the objective and improve all round progress of handloom sector.
He mentioned that handloom sector has a unique place in our cultural heritage. For centuries, it has been sustained by the inter-generational transfer of weaving and designing skills. He said that it was in a Kolkata Town Hall meeting held on August 07, 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched which aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes.
Goyal added that to commemorate this historical occasion, and to celebrate our handloom tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 7th August as National Handloom Day in 2015.
In the 75th year of independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all of us as a nation to buy Indian Handloom products and showcase their grandeur by associating with ‘My Handloom My Pride’. The minister also urged people to buy at least one handloom item in order to promote weavers and handloom sector.
Congratulating NHDC for setting up three Handloom Craft Villages at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala , Mohpara Village, District Golaghat, Assam and Kanihama, Budgam, Srinagar in collaboration with the respective State governments, the minister stated that it will not only provide additional attraction for the domestic and international tourists but also promote the well-known Handloom & Handicraft Products of the region leading to rise in weavers income.
Goyal also advised the Handloom Development Corporation to rejuvenate this sector with new ideas thoughts and latest technological advancements as per the changing requirements. He said that it is very important to think intelligently as to how this sector can stand on its own feet without government’s support. He said, ‘by making ourselves Atmanirbhar, we can make India Atmanirbhar.’
Goyal and Smt. Darshana Jardosh jointly inaugurated Design Resource Centre at Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu and building of Weavers’ Service Centre at Raigarh, Chhatisgarh on the occasion. Virtual Buyer Seller Meet was also organized by National Handloom Development Corporation.
Speaking on the occasion Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Smt. Darshana Jardosh said that it is a sector that directly addresses women’s empowerment with over 70% of all weavers and allied workers being female. She further said that it is the responsibility of all of us to promote local artisans under the local for vocal initiative.
In his address Secretary Ministry of Textiles U. P. Singh said that an e-commerce portal is being developed in coordination with Digital India Corporation (under MEITY) for handloom weavers and handicraft artisans. This will enable our weavers and artisans to sell directly to consumers. He further said that in order to support the handloom sector and to enable a wider market, steps have been taken to on-board weavers onto the Government e-Market place (GeM). This step would enable weavers to sell their products directly to various Government Departments and organizations. So far about 1.50 lakh weavers have been on-boarded on the GeM portal, he added.
Goyal and Smt. Darshana Jardosh also interacted with the weavers who came from different corners of the country to attend the National Handloom Day celebrations. An exihibition depicting rich variety of exquisite handloom products was also organized at Convention hall, Hotel Ashok where the function was held.
On the clarion call of the Prime Minister, National level – “My Handloom My Pride Expo” is being organized at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi from 1st August to 15th August 2021 by National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) to celebrate the 7th National Handloom Day.
Handloom Producer Companies and weavers are showcasing and displaying handloom products from handloom Clusters/pockets from across the Country for sale. 125 plus Handloom agencies/ National awardees belonging to 22 states are participating in the Expo.
The exhibition will be open to public from 11 am to 8 pm for fifteen days upto August 15, 2021 and more than 10000 people are expected to visit the exhibition. Handloom products drawn from some of the exotic locations of India are on display and sale at the exhibition. From 7th to 11th August 2021 #MyHandloomMyPride Expo will also be organised by Handloom Export Promotion Council at Community Hall, New Moti bagh, near Hotel Leela Palace.
Scheme for Women Handloom Workers
Under various schematic interventions for handloom workers including women workers throughout the country, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, purchase of upgraded looms & accessories, design innovation & product diversification, infrastructure development, marketing of handloom products in domestic as well as overseas markets, Mudra loans at concessional rates, etc.
Further, 100% subsidy is given to women weavers for construction of individual workshed. Kamladevi Chattopadhyay Award has been instituted specifically for women weavers.
To overcome the challenges being faced by handloom workers, the Government has taken following steps for their welfare and to promote handloom:
To support the handloom sector and to enable wider market for handloom weavers, steps have been taken to on-board weavers on Government e-Market place (GeM) to enable them to sell their products directly to various Government Departments and organizations. So far about 1.50 Lakh weavers have been on-boarded on the GeM portal.
To enhance productivity, marketing capabilities and ensure better incomes, 125 Handloom Producer companies have been formed in different States.
Under Concessional Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme, margin money assistance at 20% of the loan amount subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000/- per weaver, interest subvention upto 7% and credit guarantee fees on loans for a period of three (3) years are given.
Design Resource Centres (DRCs) have been set up in Weavers’ Service Centres (WSCs) at Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati, through NIFT with the objective to build and create design-oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector and to facilitate weavers, exporters, manufacturers and designers access design repositories for sample/product improvisation and development.
To promote marketing of handloom products, Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) has been organizing International Fairs in virtual mode.
During the year 2020-21, 12 handloom fairs were organized in virtual mode. Besides, domestic marketing events were also organized in different parts of the country for the weavers to market and sell their products.
