National Handloom Day 2023: Activities, Themes, Quotes

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Aug 8, 2023, 17:17

National Handloom Day is commemorated in India on August 7 each year. The main goal is to pay tribute to the huge handloom community in the country for their contribution to carrying on the traditional heritage and ensuring financial stability.

Handloom artistry refers to the type of practice of artistry that may or may not require a power loom. However, the process requires manual involvement and an artistic approach to complete production. National Handloom Day in India commemorates the Swadeshi Movement that began in Bengal to rely on Indian-made goods and boycott foreign goods.

National Handloom Day - Meaning and Purpose

National Handloom Day in India is held every year on August 7. It aims to recognize and appreciate the Indian textile industry's participation and involvement in ensuring the country's socio-economic growth.

  • National Handloom Day is observed in India to raise public awareness about the handloom sector and its significance to the nation's socio-economic development.
  • It also aims to preserve India's handloom tradition and to provide more prospects for the people associated with the handloom industry.
  • The goal also remains to safeguard the long-term viability of the Indian textile sector, thereby economically strengthening handloom artisans and fostering pride in their fine artistry.

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When did National Handloom Day Start?

The Honorable Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced August 7 as National Handloom Day in 2015. The celebration of the auspicious ceremony took place in Madras University's Centenary Hall in Chennai.

National Handloom Day History

August 7 was designated to celebrate National Handloom Day to memorialize the 'Swadeshi' Movement. Therefore, there is a strong connection between National Handloom Day and the Swadeshi Movement.

The Swadeshi movement grew stronger during the partition of Bengal. An official declaration began in Calcutta Town Hall to boycott foreign goods in favour of Indian-made items on August 7, 1905. The movement was founded on Bal Gangadhar Tilak's Swadeshi doctrine.

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National Handloom Day - Significance

The handloom sector exemplifies the country's rich cultural heritage. It is a vital income stream for the resident population. After agriculture, the textile and handloom sectors serve as the second-largest pillars of the economy, creating jobs for people in India.

  • Women are 70% of India's handloom weavers and affiliated employee communities. Hence, it plays an important role in women's emancipation.
  • Besides that, according to the Fourth All India Handloom Census 2019–20, around 31.45 lakh families are involved in handloom, weaving, and related activities, making their livelihood from it.
  • For a long time, the handloom and artisan industries have supported India's soft power by providing their hard work and ensuring monetary flow.
  • Notable examples involve 'Saree diplomacy' and 'Khadi diplomacy.'
  • To celebrate National Handloom Day, the Textile Ministry has built Handloom Craft Villages in three states: Mohpara Village, Golaghat district in Assam, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala, and Kanihama, Budgam district in Srinagar.

Aim Of National Handloom Day

The National Handloom Day not only aims to honor the handweaver community but also addresses the current challenges in this sector. Poor infrastructure, outdated looms, and a lack of access to major markets are some challenges governments must focus on by conveying the importance of the handloom sector.

Programs like Make in India, Vocal for Local, and Atma Nirbhar Bharat should be promoted by the Government to stimulate demand for homegrown products from the handloom industry.

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National Handloom Day 2023

This year it will be the 8th commemoration of National Handloom Day. The day's main focus will be raising the income of Indian weavers. Because of widespread COVID-19 in 2022, this time, the focus remains on increasing the sale count of handloom items on E-commerce websites.

  • National Handloom Day 2023 for every citizen to show combined efforts in support of handloom weavers who suffer from difficulties.
  • The day helps them grow their income and make Indian handloom products more famous.
  • The best contribution to National Handloom Day can be purchasing more handloom products and encouraging most people to do it.
  • Buying handmade clothes on National Handloom Day is not enough; people should buy handmade clothes from weavers to motivate and support them.

Celebrations on National Handloom Day

For the upcoming National Handloom Day 2023, people must attempt to embrace the products created by Indian workers and weavers. On this special occasion, Indians can do any of the following things:

  • Attend Handloom Fairs - Spend your time on National Handloom Day 2023 by visiting any handloom fair within your city or attending an online event.
  • Support Weavers - You can also do some contributor work or donate some money to a local weaver and help them obtain raw material and market access.
  • Spread Awareness About Indian Handloom - Everyone with a social media presence can spread awareness on National Handloom Day. It will help other citizens understand why handloom products are better than factory items.

Changes in Government Policies for National Handloom Day

The government made many transformations last year on National Handloom Day 2021. To promote the handloom sector in India and offer aid to the weavers.

Discontinuance of handloom, power loom, wool, silk, and jute boards

The ministry of textiles informed the closing of individual handloom boards. It was initiated to maximize governance and get more rational and leaner government machinery. It is believed that these ministries had become centers of political sponsorship and supplied no real help to weavers.

Creation of Handloom Portal

A handloom portal got created during National Handloom Day 2021. The launch was attended by a social media campaign planned to boost handloom's popularity in the recent generation.

COVID-19 Support Fund

A new fund, The Fashion Design Council of India, started supporting upcoming designers in India. The main aim was to purchase merchandise from weavers and make attractive products like masks.

It mainly supported the weaving community to earn more for their livelihood by selling even the unsold handloom stock.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat

PM Modi started the Atma Nirbhar Bharat program to motivate Indian citizens to support the poor weavers on National Handloom Day.

Textile Minister Smriti Irani wanted people to buy only Indian handmade products. She supported PM Modi in the Atma Bharat mission and wanted to sustain the handloom sector.

National Handloom Day 2021 Theme

The textile and handloom industry is India's second largest employment source, behind agriculture. Handloom is a symbol of glorious cultural heritage in India.

  • The National Handloom Day 2021 Theme states - "Hand Loom – An Indian Legacy."
  • Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, has encouraged people to use Made-in-India items, especially handicrafts and handmade.
  • In Mann Ki Baat, his current radio program, Narendra Modi, has insisted people celebrate National Handloom Day and purchase accessories and products that are natural and made in India.
  • To celebrate National Handloom Day 2021, "My Handloom My Pride Expo" was started on August 1, 2021, to August 15, 2021, at Dilli Haat, New Delhi by the National Handloom Department Corporation (NHDC).

National Handloom Day Quotes

Every year, on August 7, National Handloom Day is marked to make people aware of the economic significance of the textile sector. The day was started as a project to employ craftspeople and handloom weavers. We have mentioned some National Handloom Day Quotes below.

  • "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.

FAQs on National Handloom Day

Q.1. When is National Handloom Day commemorated?

National Handloom Day is honored on August 7 in India. The day is observed to praise the handloom weaving community for their enormous contribution to the country's development, socially or economically. National Handloom Day remembers all its traditional handicrafts people and praises them for their continuous efforts.

Q.2. What year was National Handloom Day declared, and who declared it?

Narendra Modi, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, declared August 7 National Handloom Day in 2015. National Handloom Day is memorialized annually to uplift India's rich handloom heritage and marks a significant historical event.

Q.3. What is the theme of National Handloom Day 2021?

The theme of National Handloom Day in 2021 was "Handloom, an Indian legacy". It demonstrates everything about weaving, considered an aesthetic, intricate art continued from generations taking ahead India's cultural heritage, and legacy, along with empowering the lives and economy of the country.

Q.4. Why has August 7 been picked to celebrate National Handloom Day in India?

National Handloom Day was declared on August 7 by the Government of India, as the day holds significant relevance in Indian history. This date observed the Swadeshi Movement's launch in the country, which contributed to the struggle of India for its independence.

Q.5. What is the purpose of celebrating National Handloom Day in India?

National Handloom Day in India is observed annually to acknowledge and appreciate the commitment and contribution of the handloom community and industry to India's social and economic progress.