National Handloom Day 2026: PM Modi Salutes India's Weavers, Ministry Confers Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi: India marked the 12th National Handloom Day on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tribute to the country’s weavers and artisans in a message posted on X.

“Today, on National Handloom Day, we celebrate India’s rich and vibrant handloom heritage. We also salute the skill, creativity and dedication of our weavers and artisans. For generations, they have preserved and enriched our traditions,” the Prime Minister wrote. He added: “Our Government will keep supporting the handloom sector, which is an important pillar of rural empowerment, women-led development and fulfilling the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

Modi also invited people to share their favourite handloom products and the trending “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos using the hashtag #NationalHandloomDay, saying the initiative would help raise awareness and encourage communities associated with the traditional textile sector. A day earlier, on August 6, he had shared a video on X urging people to make India’s handloom diversity popular ahead of the observance.

Why it’s celebrated

National Handloom Day is observed every year on August 7 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and India’s handloom sector. Since its inception in 2015, the day has served as an occasion to celebrate the artistry, skill and dedication of India’s handloom weavers while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the sector’s preservation and promotion.

According to the Ministry of Textiles, India’s handloom sector supports the livelihoods of more than 35 lakh people, with women accounting for over 70 per cent of the workforce.

Events in Delhi

The main function took place on August 7 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi. The Ministry of Textiles used the occasion to honour master weavers: a total of 22 awards — including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards — were conferred on weavers for their craftsmanship, innovation and contribution to preserving India’s handloom traditions.

The event also saw the release of four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India’s diverse handloom weaving traditions, and the unveiling of two publications — “Earth. Root. Thread: Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India” and the Handloom Awards Book 2025. An exhibition of award-winning handloom products was organised alongside the ceremony, with visitors able to watch live demonstrations of traditional Kani weaving and wall-hanging weaving.