In India, the seventh of August marks National Handloom Day. The primary objective is to honour the country’s sizable handloom community for maintaining the nation’s cultural traditions and ensuring economic security.
The term “handloom artistry” is used to describe various forms of artistic creation that may or may not involve the use of a power loom. Manual labour and an imaginative approach are essential to the process’s completion. The Swadeshi Movement, which began in Bengal, called for a greater reliance on domestically produced items and a reduction in use of imported commodities.
Purpose
Every year on August 7, India celebrates National Handloom Day. Its goal is to honour the contributions of the Indian textile industry to India’s economic and social development.
In India, the importance of the handloom industry to the country’s economy and social fabric is celebrated annually on National Handloom Day.
It also seeks to protect India’s handloom heritage while expanding opportunities for those who work in the field.
The goal is still to ensure the long-term health of India’s textile industry, giving handloom weavers a financial boost and inspiring national pride in their work.
Background
In 2015, August 7 was designated as National Handloom Day thanks to an official proclamation by India’s Honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. In Chennai, at Madras University’s Centenary Hall, the happy occasion was celebrated.
Origin
The ‘Swadeshi’ Movement is being commemorated annually by designating August 7 as National Handloom Day. That’s why the Swadeshi Movement has such close ties to National Handloom Day.
While Bengal was being divided, the Swadeshi movement gained momentum. On August 7, 1905, a formal proclamation was initiated in Calcutta Town Hall to boycott imported goods in favour of domestically produced alternatives. The ideas of Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Swadeshi ideology laid the groundwork for the revolution.
Significance
The handloom industry is representative of India’s deep cultural history. It provides a much-needed source of revenue for the local populace. When it comes to employment opportunities, the textile and handloom industries are second only to agriculture in India.
Seventy percent of the people who work in the handloom industry in India are women. This has significant implications for the empowerment of women.
In addition, the Fourth All India Handloom Census 2019-20 estimates that about 31.45 lakh families earn their living through handloom, weaving, and related activities.
The handloom and artisan industries have long contributed to India’s soft power by providing labour and a steady stream of income.
Two of the most famous are the ‘Saree diplomacy’ and the ‘Khadi diplomacy.’
Mohpara Village in Assam’s Golaghat district, Kovalam in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, and Kanihama in Srinagar’s Budgam district are just three of the locations where the Textile Ministry has constructed Handloom Craft Villages in honour of National Handloom Day.
The Meaning Behind This Annual Holiday
In addition to celebrating the contributions of the handweaving community, National Handloom Day also seeks to highlight the issues facing the industry today. Governments may help the handloom industry by addressing issues including inadequate infrastructure, obsolete looms, and limited access to key markets.
The government should promote initiatives like Make in India, Vocal for Local, and Atma Nirbhar Bharat in order to increase demand for handloom goods made in India.
National Handloom Day 2023
National Handloom Day will be celebrated for the ninth time this year. Increasing Indian weavers’ earnings is the day’s primary objective. This time around, we’re still trying to boost the number of sales of handloom items on E-commerce websites due to the widespread COVID-19 in 2022.
On the 20th of March, 2023, all Americans will celebrate National Handloom Day to rally behind the industry’s hard-pressed weavers.
The event boosts their earnings and raises awareness of Indian handloom goods.
Buying more handloom products and encouraging as many people as possible to do the same is a great way to celebrate National Handloom Day.
It’s not enough to just buy handmade items on National Handloom Day; consumers should buy clothes directly from weavers to encourage and support them.
National Handloom Day Ceremonies
People should make an effort to appreciate the wares made by Indian weavers and employees in preparation for National Handloom Day 2023. Indians have the option of doing any of the following in honour of this holiday:
Visit Handloom Fairs — On May 5, 2023, the United States will celebrate National Handloom Day by encouraging people to visit handloom fairs across the country and around the world.
Help Weavers Gain Access to Raw Materials and the Market via Contributor Work or Financial Donations.
Raise Public Interest in Indian Handloom – On National Handloom Day, everyone with a digital footprint can help raise awareness. It will inform the general public as to why handloom goods are preferable than mass-produced goods.
National Handloom Day Brings New Laws and Regulations
A lot of changes were made by the government for National Handloom Day 2021. As a means of supporting the weavers of India and bolstering the handloom industry there.
There will no longer be any availability for handloom, powerloom, wool, silk, or jute boards.
Individual handloom boards were notified of their closure by the Ministry of Textiles. The goal was to streamline government operations and make them more efficient. Weavers are assumed to have received no useful assistance from these ministries, which had instead become political powerhouses.
Making of the Handloom Website
On April 30, 2021, in honour of National Handloom Day, a handloom portal was born. At the launch, we ran a social media campaign to get the younger generation interested in handloom.
Grant for COVID-19
A new organisation, The Fashion Design Council of India, has begun providing funding for budding Indian fashion designers. The primary objective was to manufacture aesthetically pleasing items, such as masks, by purchasing goods from weavers.
As a result, even unsold handloom stock might be marketed, helping the weaving community earn more money to sustain itself.
To the Soul, India Belongs
To encourage Indians to help out the low-income weavers on National Handloom Day, Prime Minister Modi launched a programme called Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Smriti Irani, India’s Minister of Textiles, advocated for the sale of purely Indian-made goods. She backed PM Modi’s Atma Bharat initiative and advocated for the continuation of the handloom industry.
The Concept for 2021’s National Handloom Day
India’s textile and handloom sector employs more people than any other sector save agriculture. In India, handlooms represent the country’s rich cultural history.
The theme for the 2021 celebration of National Handloom Day is “Hand Loom – An Indian Legacy.”
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has advocated for the widespread consumption of products that were created in the country.
On his current radio show, Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi has been encouraging listeners to recognise National Handloom Day and buy authentic, Indian-made goods.
On August 1, 2021, the National Handloom Department Corporation (NHDC) opened the “My Handloom My Pride Expo” in Dilli Haat, New Delhi, for the duration of August 15 to commemorate National Handloom Day 2021.
This year is the ninth time that National Handloom Day has been celebrated. The primary goal of the day is to improve the economic situation of Indian weavers. Since COVID-19 will likely spread widely in 2022, efforts are currently concentrated on boosting the number of online purchases of handloom products.
In 2023, we’ll celebrate National Handloom Day to rally behind the hardworking but underappreciated weavers of handloom textiles.
They are able to increase their earnings and spread awareness of Indian handloom products thanks to this day.
The greatest way to celebrate National Handloom Day is to increase your purchases of handloom goods and to encourage others to do the same.
On National Handloom Day, shoppers should show their support for weavers by purchasing their wares directly from them.
Festivals honouring the National Handloom Industry
In honour of National Handloom Day 2023, it’s important that the world recognise the value of the goods made by Indian artisans. Indians can celebrate this day in a variety of ways.
Spend your time on National Handloom Day 2023 by checking out a local handloom fair or participating in a virtual celebration.
Help a local weaver get their hands on some raw materials and connect with potential customers by volunteering your time or making a financial contribution.
Encourage People to Learn About Indian Handloom – Awareness of National Handloom Day can be shared by anyone with a social media presence. It will educate the public on the merits of handloom goods against mass-produced alternatives.
Policy Shifts in Honour of National Handloom Day
In preparation for National Handloom Day 2021, the government implemented a number of reforms last year. To aid the weavers of India and boost the handloom industry.
Weaving boards made of wool, silk, jute, and handlooms are being phased out.
Closing of individual handloom boards was announced by the Ministry of Textiles. The goal of the reform was to make government more efficient and effective. It is speculated that these ministries had turned into political powerhouses and were providing little actual assistance to the weavers.
Building the Handloom Online Market
In honour of National Handloom Day 2021, a portal dedicated to the craft was developed. A social media campaign meant to increase handloom’s popularity among the younger generation was also present at the inauguration.
Funding to Assist COVID-19
The Fashion Design Council of India is a new organisation set up to help burgeoning Indian fashion designers. The primary goal was to acquire goods from weavers and turn them into marketable items, such as masks.
Primarily, it helped the weaving community increase their income by selling off unsold handloom inventory.
All Souls Welcome to India
On National Handloom Day, Prime Minister Modi launched Atma Nirbhar Bharat to encourage Indians to help out the low-income weavers.
Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani advocated for the sole purchase of handmade Indian goods. She believed in PM Modi’s Atma Bharat agenda and hoped to see the handloom industry thrive.
Theme for Handweaving Awareness Day in 2021
Behind only agriculture as a source of income and employment in India is the textile and handloom sector. The art of handloom weaving is a testament to India’s rich cultural history.
For 2021, we’ll be celebrating National Handloom Day with the slogan “Hand Loom – An Indian Legacy.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for a greater usage of products created in India, particularly handicrafts.
Narendra Modi has been encouraging listeners of his current radio show, Mann Ki Baat, to observe National Handloom Day and buy organic, Indian-made goods.
The National Handloom Department Corporation (NHDC) hosted the “My Handloom My Pride Expo” from August 1, 2021, to August 15, 2021, at Dilli Haat in New Delhi in honour of National Handloom Day 2021.
Quotes
“A good life is like weaving. Energy is created in the tension. The struggle, the pull, and tug are everything.” ― Joan Erikson.
“Life is a loom, weaving illusion.” ― Vachel Lindsay.
“I do spinning and weaving as an important part of any national education system,” said Mahatma Gandhi.
“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone… and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” ― Sandra Day O’Connor.
When do we celebrate National Handloom Day?
On August 7th, Indians celebrate National Handloom Day. The day is celebrated to recognise the significant role that handloom weavers have played in the economic and social progress of their country. On National Handloom Day, we honour the dedication of the country’s artisans by recognising the contributions they’ve made throughout the years.
When and who established National Handloom Day in that year?
In 2015, August 7 was designated as National Handloom Day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The annual celebration of National Handloom Day honours a pivotal moment in Indian history while drawing attention to the country’s illustrious handloom tradition.
Why did India choose August 7 as National Handloom Day?
The Government of India has designated August 7 as National Handloom Day because of the significance of that date in Indian history. On this day in 1950, the Swadeshi Movement began, a significant event in India’s fight for independence.
When people in India observe National Handloom Day, what are they hoping to achieve?
In India, the handloom community and industry are celebrated yearly on National Handloom Day for their dedication and contributions to the country’s social and economic development.
