August 7: National Handloom Day

August 8, 2022

National Handloom Day is celebrated in India on August 7, every year. The day highlights the contribution of handloom industry in socio-economic development of India. It also raises awareness among people regarding the handloom industry. Ministry of Textile is the nodal agency of the celebration.

About Indian handloom Industry:

Handloom Industry is the largest industry in India.
Products manufactured by weaving community of this sector are popular worldwide.
It is a significant employment source across rural areas of India.
This sector is an important player in women empowerment. 70% of all weavers and allied workers are women.
Indian handloom sector exports its products to more than 20 countries worldwide, like the UK, the USA, France, Germany, and South Africa.

History of the day

India’s handloom industry played a significant role in Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on August 7, 1905.
Swadeshi movement was aimed at curbing dependency on foreign goods and boosting domestic production.
As a part of the movement, production of khadi started in almost every household.
When India got independence, Indian flag made of Khadi was unfurled near India Gate.
Thus, the National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7, the same day when Swadeshi Movement was started.
First National Handloom Day was celebrated on August 7, 2015; in Chennai.

National Handloom Day is observed in the honour handloom weaving community. The day highlights the contribution weaving community across several sectors of India, including rural employment. The day also seeks to protect the rich handloom heritage of India as well as to empower handloom community by providing better opportunities.

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