President Murmu presents handloom awards

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged greater adoption of modern technology and digital platforms to ensure the sustainable growth of India’s handloom sector, while emphasising the need to encourage young entrepreneurs, designers and startups to connect traditional crafts with contemporary markets and global value chains.Recalling the historical significance of the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, she said it gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries, particularly the handloom sector. National Handloom Day, observed every year since 2015, commemorates this movement while celebrating the artistry and dedication of India’s weaving community.

हथकरघे का हमारे स्वतंत्रता संग्राम से गहरा जुड़ाव है। सात अगस्त 1905 को स्वदेशी आंदोलन का औपचारिक शुभारंभ हुआ था। बंगाल विभाजन के विरोध में शुरू हुए इस आंदोलन का उद्देश्य स्वदेशी वस्तुओं, स्वदेशी उद्योगों और विशेष रूप से देश के हथकरघा बुनकरों को प्रोत्साहन देना था। pic.twitter.com/NweAEf9XsN

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2026

The President was addressing the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC), where she presented the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 in recognition of outstanding craftsmanship, innovation and contributions to preserving India’s rich weaving traditions.
On the occasion, President Murmu also released four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India’s diverse handloom weaving traditions and unveiled “Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India”, a publication of the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms documenting India’s weaving heritage and excellence in the sector. During the ceremony, the President conferred three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards, the country’s highest honour for handloom weavers, and 19 National Handloom Awards for the year 2025. The awards recognise exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, quality and lifelong contributions towards preserving and promoting India’s traditional weaving heritage while embracing contemporary techniques.
The event was attended by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita, Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Dr. M. Beena, awardees, handloom weavers, members of the awards selection committee, industry representatives and senior government officials.