State celebrates National Handloom Day
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, August 07 2025: Chief secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel has stated that in addition to culture and identity, handlooms are also helping preserve and safeguard the people.

As such, he urged for making the efforts to ensure compatibility of the same with modern lifestyle.

The Directorate of Handloom and Textiles celebrated National Handloom Day under the theme "Threads of Traditions: Weaving Culture through Handlooms" at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, here, on Thursday.

The celebration was attended by Padmashree (Shilp Guru) Machi-han Sasa, Padmashree Radhe Sharmi, Shilp Guru G Shanti Devi, NIFT, Shillong associate professor Aurineeta Das, national awardee K Medha Devi and Handloom & Textiles director Elangbam Jeeten along with other eminent artisans.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Puneet Goel highlighted the importance of the day, calling it "a special occasion to celebrate the creativity, self-reliance, and invaluable contributions of our weavers and artisans".

He emphasised the strong social and cultural identity embedded in Manipur's weaving traditions.

State celebrates National Handloom Day

"From the vibrant 'Phanek' and the elegant 'Moirang Phee' to the intricate 'Wangkhei Phee', each handloom product tells.a story, a narrative of heritage passed down through generations.

More than 2.5 lakh handloom workers, majority of them women (95 per cent), contribute to this vibrant sector.

Their skills and dedication have earned Manipur a well-deserved place on India's handloom map.

Our state proudly boasts over 750 unique design motifs and 26 recognised handicrafts," he stated.

Informing that the state government has prioritised the handloom and handicrafts sector as a key driver of inclusive development, the chief secretary pointed out that in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, several schemes are being implemented to support artisans and promote the industry while Cluster Development Projects under the National Handloom Development Programme have been providing infrastructure, raw material banks, and skill up-gradation, and Deendayal Hastkala Sankul initiatives to promote marketing and branding platforms.

Meanwhile, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and Weaver MUDRA loans have benefited thousands of artisans with financial assistance.

Other schemes include Handloom Census and ID cards to bring transparency and inclusion to the sector; training and design intervention programs through institutions like IIHT and NIFT; promotion of signature products such as Moirang Phee of Bishnupur and Kauna craft of Thoubal under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, elaborated Dr Puneet Goel.

He said the government is also working to integrate traditional skills with digital tools, enabling artisans to access wider markets through e-commerce platforms, digital payments, and social media branding.

In addition, weavers are being provided with looms and accessories free of cost under various schemes.

Subsidised yarns, GI registrations, and national and international branding efforts are also underway to uplift indigenous designs, he conveyed.

While celebrating these achievements.

Dr Puneet Kumar Goel also acknowledged the existing'challenges, including limited access to credit, marketing gaps, raw material shortages, and the need for modern design training and establishing Common Work sheds in every handloom-intensive block.

He then said that promoting youth entrepreneurship through skill-based start-up schemes, linking weavers to global markets, integrating sustainable practices into mainstream production and encouraging collaborations between designers and artisans would help foster innovation while preserving traditional identities.

He further emphasised on the objective to transform handloom from a cultural tradition into a thriving, competitive industry that empowers families and strengthens communities.

Attending the function, additional chief secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry) Anurag Bajpai expressed that this day commemorate the Swadeshi Movement 1905, which ignited the powerful "self-reliance".

"For Manipur, this day holds even greater significance, as our state has long been a cradle of exquisite handloom and handicraft traditions.

Handloom is not merely a source of livelihood.

It is a symbol of India's civilisational legacy, a canvas of our rich diversity, and a pillar of rural and women-led economies.

The sector represents sustainability, creativity, and community-based enterprise.

These values deeply aligned with the ethos of Manipur," he said.

Anuraj Bajpai then informed that around 12,500 weavers/artisans are engaged in e-commerce portals, setting up their e-businesses and selling products through Amazon.

Apart from this, mega handloom clusters in Imphal have been beneficial to weavers and efforts are on to increase the same.

A DPR has been sent to the Ministry of Textiles to build a textile park in Imphal which would include a Textile Design Institute.

Once it is approved, it would transform the unorganised sector into an organised sector, he added.

As part of the celebration, a film "Manipur: Threads of Heritage, Hands of Prosperity" was screened along with release of a book, "From Loom to Legacy: Crafts Story of Manipur".

During the celebration, the chief secretary presented a cheque of Rs 3 lakh and a Kabui Shawl to Padmashree Machihan Sasa of Nungbi village, Ukhrul, and cheques of Rs 1 lakh, shawl, memento and certificate each to state awardees Gurumayum Nirupam of Mangjil Mamang Leikai, Meibuanliu Panmei of Namdulong and Titus Laiam of Nungbu Kajui, and Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh to 20 national and state awardees respectively for modernisation.

Later, the CS launched a SCDP at Lairouching in Senapati district under NHDP.

On the other hand, the Bachelor of Fashion Designing Department, Home Science Department and IQAC of Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam, Imphal East celebrated the 13th National Handloom Day under the aegis of Office of the DC Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, at the multipurpose hall of the College on Thursday.

Organised on the theme "Threads of Tradition: Weaving Culture through Handloom", the celebration was attended by Weavers Service Centre, Imphal assistant director (Processing), Sarbeswar Das as chief guest, College principal in-charge Dr Irom Kunjabati Devi as president and Naorem Birahari College Governing Body secretary Usham Dijen Singh as guest of honour.

During the celebration, a demonstration on Weaving, Dyeing (tie & dye) and Printing was presented, followed by a Handloom Fashion Design Contest.