PM Modi’s speech at the National Handloom Day 2023 Celebrations

In a significant event at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi celebrated National Handloom Day 2023 and unveiled the ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh’ e-portal. This portal, developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology, is a repository of textiles and crafts. During the celebration, Prime Minister Modi also interacted with weavers and visited an exhibition.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the rich heritage of India’s handloom industry and how it symbolizes the convergence of tradition and modernity. He emphasized that India is not just advocating ‘Local for Vocal’ but is also providing a global platform for its products. He noted the presence of handloom clusters from all over India at the event and welcomed them.

Prime Minister Modi acknowledged August as a month of “Kranti” (revolution) and stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for India’s independence. He linked National Handloom Day to the Swadeshi Movement, which aimed to promote indigenous textiles and connect weavers with the people.

The Prime Minister lauded the government’s efforts in revitalizing the handloom industry and noted the surge in demand for indigenous products. He mentioned the remarkable growth in Khadi production and sales, attributing it to the “Vocal for Local” campaign.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the impact of government schemes on the handloom sector, leading to increased employment and income for marginalized communities. He cited various initiatives like providing electricity, water, and gas connections to weavers, as well as free ration, healthcare, and housing.

The government is focused on not only preserving traditional textile practices but also modernizing them. Scholarships for the children of weavers and the establishment of handloom clusters have been key initiatives. Technological advancements, such as computer-operated machines and motorized equipment, are being provided to enhance productivity and creativity.

Prime Minister Modi discussed the challenges faced by weavers in marketing their products and emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting handmade products through exhibitions like Bharat Mandapam. He commended startups and young entrepreneurs for their innovative approaches to marketing and manufacturing.

The ‘One District One Product’ scheme was mentioned as a means to promote unique products from every district. The Prime Minister also talked about Ekta Mall, a platform to promote handicrafts and handloom products from across India. Additionally, he highlighted the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as a way for artisans and weavers to directly sell their goods to the government.

Prime Minister Modi discussed the collaboration with international companies to expand the reach of Indian products globally. He emphasized the need for collective efforts from workers, weavers, designers, and industries to make India’s handloom and textile sector world-class.

He stressed the importance of connecting the skill of weavers with modern technology and scaling up production. He also recognized the growth of the middle-class population in India as an opportunity for the textile industry.

Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Modi encouraged citizens to celebrate “Har Ghar Tiranga” by hoisting the Tricolour, symbolizing unity and patriotism.

The event was attended by several Union Ministers, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Smt. Darshana Jardosh, and Shri Narayan Tatu Rane, along with over 3,000 handloom weavers, artisans, and stakeholders from the textile and MSME sectors.

This celebration marked the 9th National Handloom Day, which is observed annually in honor of the Swadeshi Movement’s launch on August 7, 1905, to promote indigenous industries, especially handloom weaving. The ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh’ e-portal is a significant step towards preserving and promoting India’s rich tradition of textiles and crafts.

PM Modi’s speech at the National Handloom Day 2023 Celebrations

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