From Kashmiri Pashmina to South Silk, Banarasi Silk Saree and West Bengal Handloom to Lucknow Chikankari and Khadi – everything was at display at Handloom Expo organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) to celebrate National Handloom Day on August 7. The B2B exhibition of handlooms and related products was inaugurated by  Additional Secretary in Textiles Ministry, Ms Pushpa Subrahmanyam.

“Handloom represents India’s heritage, pride and skill. Government has a separate wing to promote handloom and protect the designs. It is important to train new weavers who enter the sector, provide markets for products, and upgrade technology of the cluster. Big initiative is to link them with famous designers and institutes like NIFT, which have a network across country”, Textiles Ministry Additional Secretary Pushpa Subrahmanyam told SMEpost.

On August 7, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched India Handloom brand and earmarked the day as National Handloom Day. The intent was a 33 per cent increase in consumption of the sector, from the existing 5 per cent. Second Expo was to carry further Prime Minister’s message.

Newly appointed Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani too had created an internet sensation by starting a #IWearHandloom campaign. Emulating Modi’s Swachh  Bharat Campaign, Irani too started a chain by nominating people who wear handloom and put selfies on social media in Handloom. These include among others cricketer Virendra Sahwag, Designer Ritu Beri and Film Actor Shabana Azmi.

Handloom weaving provides direct and indirect employment to more than 43 lakh weavers and allied workers. The sector is responsible for nearly 15% of cloth production in the country and also contributes to export earnings. Around 95% of the world’s hand woven fabric comes from India.

There are 470 Handloom clusters spread all over the country. With the world becoming progressively more aware about the environment and holistic healthcare, the government is mounting efforts to highlight the aspects of handloom products and to strengthen linkages with rural sector.