The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations and presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, today (August 8, 2026). Four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's rich and diverse handloom weaving traditions were also released on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that handloom has been an integral part of the evolutionary journey of India’s civilization for centuries. It reflects the extraordinary diversity of our nation and has preserved our regional uniqueness. The handloom sector fosters employment, women's empowerment, art and culture, and love for nature. Handloom has also been linked to India’s freedom struggle and the spirit of self-reliance.

The President said that the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched on August 7, 1905. Initiated in protest against the Partition of Bengal, the movement aimed to promote indigenous goods, domestic industries, and, in particular, the country's handloom weavers. In honour of this historic event, the Government of India has been observing August 7 as National Handloom Day since 2015. She congratulated everyone associated with the handloom sector on National Handloom Day. She said that this event is a celebration of the diversity that defines our country's cultural unity. It is an occasion to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the government and the weaving community that are establishing a premium quality image for India's handloom sector.

The President said that the potential for our handloom sector to emerge as a prime, human-centric example of India’s rural premium economy has strengthened significantly. Key handloom clusters are being integrated with modern technology and contemporary training methods. The government is implementing various measures to boost weavers' incomes. She was happy to note that the international image of the Indian handloom sector is being enhanced with the Government’s efforts to transform the sector into a Verified Cultural Economy.

The President noted that many talented young entrepreneurs, equipped with technology and innovative designs, are entering this sector. She said that there should be proactive hand-holding of the youth through government schemes and institutions so that their enthusiasm and skills can ensure long-term, multifaceted success of this sector. Young entrepreneurs, designers, and startups can create new opportunities in this field by linking traditional crafts with modern trends, brands, and global value chains. She was happy to note that Design Resource Centres under the aegis of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology and Weavers' Service Centres are doing significant work to engage the youth in this sector.

The President said that the appropriate use of new technologies is essential for the sustainable development of this sector. Market access can be made more effective through modern digital solutions. Moreover, the reach of Indian handloom products to global markets can be significantly strengthened through e-commerce platforms. She expressed confidence that the handloom sector will serve as a robust foundation for the country's inclusive growth and self-reliance.

The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is the country's highest honour for handloom weavers, recognising their extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication, and sustained contributions towards preserving and promoting India's weaving traditions. The National Handloom Award honours handloom weavers and other stakeholders who have demonstrated outstanding creativity, quality, innovation and excellence while preserving traditional skills and embracing modern techniques.

Please click here to see the President’s Speech

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MJPS/SS/PRK