10th National Handloom Day Celebrations
Context:
“VIRAASAT,” an exhibition marking the 10th National Handloom Day, has commenced at Handloom Haat, New Delhi. The event features handloom products from various unique locations across India, available for display and sale.
More on news:
- The exhibition is organised by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
- The exhibition is part of the ongoing 10th National Handloom Day celebrations.
- The event showcases and sells handloom products from various exotic locations across India.
- This year Handloom Day will be celebrated in the prominent 75 Handloom clusters/ pockets by the Weavers’ Service Centres (WSCs).
- The theme of National Handloom Day 2024 is “Weaving Sustainable Futures,” highlighting the importance of sustainable fashion and eco-friendly practices.
- Prime Minister praised the handloom artisans’ work during Mann Ki Baat (112th episode) and encouraged sharing photos of local products on social media with the hashtag ‘#MyProductMyPride’.
National Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NHDC): Vision: Mission: 
National Handloom Day & Its Significance:
- In 2015, the Government of India established National Handloom Day on August 7 to honour the handloom weaving community and highlight the sector’s socio-economic impact.
- This date commemorates the 1905 start of the Swadeshi Movement, which supported indigenous industries and handloom weavers. Also, emphasised that handlooms can combat poverty like the Swadeshi movement fought for freedom.
- The handloom sector employs around 35 lakh people directly or indirectly, making it a significant sector after agriculture.
- Indian handloom products like Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, Madhubani, Kosa, Ikkat, Patola, Tussar Silk, Maheshwari, Moirang Phee, Phulkari, Laheriya, Khandua, and Tangaliya are noted for their unique weaves, designs, and traditional motifs.
Challenges Faced by the India Handloom Sector:
- Handloom products compete with cheaper, mass-produced textiles, reducing market demand.
- Inadequate infrastructure, such as unreliable power and poor transportation, hampers productivity.
- Decreased interest in traditional weaving among youth threatens the availability of skilled artisans.
- Low wages and inconsistent income challenge the economic viability of weaving communities.
- Limited market access and dependence on middlemen restrict profitability and reach.
- Environmental issues like excessive water use and chemical pollution impact sustainability.
Government Initiatives:
- The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): It is a central sector scheme aimed at the integrated and comprehensive development of handlooms and the welfare of handloom weavers. Approved for FY22 to FY26 with an outlay of ₹998 Crore. FY24 initiatives included establishing 96 small handloom clusters and setting up 9 mega handloom clusters.
- The Handloom Mark Scheme: The scheme aims to brand handloom products and secure a premium position in domestic and export markets. It provides a collective identity, assuring buyers of quality and authenticity, and supports over 6.5 million weavers across India.
- The Yarn Supply Scheme: Scheme is implemented by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) and state governments, it ensures a steady supply of quality yarn at reasonable prices to handloom weavers.
- The Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): It aims to develop mega handloom clusters, each with at least 15,000 looms.
- The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS): It provides life and accidental insurance to handloom weavers aged 18-50 years, with benefits of ₹2 lakhs for death or total and permanent disability, enhancing their welfare and security.
- The Weaver MUDRA Scheme: It provides credit to handloom weavers at a concessional interest rate of 6%. It offers margin money assistance of up to ₹10,000 per weaver and a three-year credit guarantee, easing access to financial resources.
One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative:
- Introduced in 2018 to identify, brand, and promote a unique product from each district.
- Scope: Covers various sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, handloom and textiles, handicrafts, food processing, marine, and services.