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NATIONAL HANDLOOM DAY 2024

8th August, 2024 Culture

NATIONAL HANDLOOM DAY 2024

Source: PIB

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Context

  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 7 August wished the people on occasion of National Handloom Day.

Details

  • The handloom sector in India holds significant cultural and economic importance.
  • It is one of the largest unorganized economic activities and a major source of livelihood, especially in rural and semi-rural areas.
  • The sector is rich with a variety of weaving traditions that reflect India's cultural diversity.

Historical Significance

  • Handloom weaving in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization and has been an integral part of Indian culture and heritage.
  • Each region has developed its unique style, such as Patola from Gujarat, Jamdani from Uttar Pradesh, and Pochampally from Telangana.
  • These handloom products are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and use of natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool.

Economic Significance

  • Employment Generation: The handloom sector is the second-largest employment generator in India after agriculture, providing jobs to over three million artisans, including a substantial percentage from marginalized communities like SC, ST, and OBC​.
  • Export Driver: Indian handloom products are in demand globally, especially in developed countries and the Middle East. The sector's exports have consistently exceeded USD 300 million annually​.
  • Sustainability: Handloom products are eco-friendly, made from organic materials, and involve minimal use of power, making them a sustainable choice​.

Key Statistics

Total Handloom Workers: Approximately 35.22 lakh

Total Women Handloom Workers: Approximately 25.46 lakh (72.29% of total)

Major Handloom States: Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh

Urban vs Rural: Majority (90%) of handloom workers are in rural areas

Education Levels: 25% of weavers have not received any formal education

Economic Contribution: Exports of handloom products stood at US$ 266.88 million in FY22

Export Trends

Major Products: Mats and mattings, carpets, rugs, bedsheets, and cushion covers.

Export Centers: Key centers include Karur, Panipat, Varanasi, and Kannur.

Export Figures: In 2022-23, India's export of handloom products like mats and mattings constituted 12.40% of the total handloom exports.

Challenges

Despite its rich heritage and economic significance, the handloom sector faces several challenges:

  • Market Demand: There is a lack of consistent market demand, which affects the income and sustainability of handloom weavers​.
  • Access to Capital: Many weavers struggle with limited access to credit and capital, which hampers their ability to invest in quality raw materials and modernize their production processes​.
  • Competition from Powerlooms: The handloom sector faces stiff competition from powerloom and mill-made textiles, which are often cheaper and produced in larger quantities​.

Celebrating Handloom Heritage

  • National Handloom Day, observed on August 7, commemorates the Swadeshi Movement's launch in 1905, which played a crucial role in reviving the Indian handloom industry during the independence struggle.
  • The day highlights the contributions of the handloom sector to India's heritage and the importance of supporting weavers​.
  • In 2024, National Handloom Day was marked by a special event, "Virasat," showcasing handloom products from various regions, workshops on natural dyes, design, and export, and cultural activities​

State-wise Handloom

State/UT

Major Handloom Products

Andhra Pradesh

Kalamkari, Pochampally Ikkat

Arunachal Pradesh

Shawls, Jackets, Skirts

Assam

Assam Silk, Muga Silk

Bihar

Tussar Silk, Bhagalpuri Silk

Chhattisgarh

Kosa Silk

Delhi

Carpets, Rugs

Goa

Bedspreads, Tablecloths

Gujarat

Bandhani, Patola

Haryana

Durries, Furnishings

Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Shawls, Kinnauri Shawls

Jammu and Kashmir

Pashmina Shawls, Carpets

Jharkhand

Tussar Silk

Karnataka

Ilkal Sarees, Kasuti Embroidery

Kerala

Kasavu Sarees, Mundu

Ladakh

Woolen Shawls, Carpets

Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi Sarees, Maheshwari Sarees

Maharashtra

Paithani Sarees

Manipur

Phanek, Innaphi

Meghalaya

Shawls, Stoles

Mizoram

Puanchei, Puandum

Nagaland

Naga Shawls, Mekhela

Odisha

Sambalpuri Sarees, Ikat

Puducherry

Home Furnishings, Towels

Punjab

Phulkari, Shawls

Rajasthan

Kota Doria, Bandhani

Sikkim

Woolen Carpets, Blankets

Tamil Nadu

Kancheepuram Silk, Madurai Sungudi

Telangana

Pochampally Ikkat, Gadwal Sarees

Tripura

Risa, Rignai

Uttar Pradesh

Banarasi Sarees, Brocades

Uttarakhand

Woolen Shawls, Rugs

West Bengal

Baluchari Sarees, Tangail Sarees

Total

-

Schemes for the Handloom Sector in India

Scheme/Initiative

Description

Key Features

Target Group

Funding/Support

National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)

Facilitates the sustainable development of handloom weavers.

Need-based assistance, product development, infrastructure support.

Handloom weavers and clusters

Government grants and technical support

Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)

Builds mega handloom clusters with at least 10,000 looms each.

Development plans, technology advancement, marketing complexes, dye houses.

Handloom clusters in select regions

Up to Rs. 30 crores per cluster

Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)

Provides social security and welfare benefits to handloom weavers.

Insurance coverage (life, accidental, disability), financial assistance for education.

Handloom weavers and their families

Various insurance schemes (PMJJBY, PMSBY, MGBBY)

Weavers Mudra Scheme

Supports the credit needs of the handloom sector.

Credit at 6% interest rate, margin money support, credit guarantee.

Handloom weavers

Margin money up to Rs. 10,000, 3-year credit guarantee

Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)

Ensures availability of yarn at Mill Gate Price.

Freight reimbursement, 10% price subsidy on hank yarn for cotton, silk, wool, and linen.

Handloom weavers

Subsidized yarn through National Handloom Development Corporation

Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA)

Promotes marketing of handloom products.

Development of domestic and export marketing channels, linkage between markets.

Handloom weavers and cooperatives

Financial assistance for marketing initiatives

Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom Weavers

Facilitates credit access for powerloom weavers.

Credit at subsidized interest rates, margin money assistance.

Powerloom weavers

Margin money subsidy, interest subsidy

Export Promotion Scheme

Enhances the export potential of handloom products.

Assistance for participation in international fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meets.

Handloom exporters

Financial assistance for participation and travel

Design and Technology Upgradation Scheme

Improves design and technological capabilities of handloom sector.

Support for modern looms, CAD/CAM systems, design workshops.

Handloom weavers and clusters

Financial support for technology and design upgrades

Bunkar Mitra Helpline

Provides assistance and information to handloom weavers.

Toll-free helpline for queries related to schemes, benefits, and grievances.

Handloom weavers and workers

Operational support from Ministry of Textiles

Mega Handloom Cluster Scheme

Focuses on holistic development of major handloom clusters.

Interventions like infrastructure development, skill upgradation, and marketing support.

Handloom clusters

Significant funding based on cluster needs

Handloom Reservation Act

Protects handloom weavers from competition from powerlooms and mill sector.

Reservation of certain textile items exclusively for production by handlooms.

Handloom weavers

Legal protection and enforcement

Research & Development Scheme

Promotes research in the handloom sector for innovation and development.

Funding for research projects, collaboration with textile research associations.

Research institutions and handloom organizations

Financial grants for approved research projects

Handloom Award Schemes

Recognizes outstanding contributions and promotes excellence in the handloom sector.

National Awards, Sant Kabir Awards, and other recognition for exemplary work.

Individual weavers, cooperatives, and organizations

Awards and cash prizes

PM-MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Scheme

Aims to create world-class infrastructure for the textile industry.

Development of 7 Mega Textile Parks over 3 years, enabling infrastructure, skill development, and manufacturing.

Textile sector including handloom

Government investment up to Rs. 4,445 crore

SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector)

Enhances skills of the handloom workers.

Training programmes, skill development initiatives, employment linkages.

Textile workers including handloom weavers

Financial and technical support for training initiatives

Fourth All India Handloom Census (2019-2020)

Category

Statistics

Total Handloom Worker Households

31,44,839

Total Weaver Households

25,45,000

Total Handloom Workers

26,73,891

Total Allied Workers

8,48,621

Weaver Households by Income

- < ₹5,000: 67.1%
- ₹5,001-₹10,000: 26.2%
- ₹10,001-₹15,000: 4.5%
- ₹15,001-₹20,000: 1.0%
- > ₹20,001: 1.2%

Total States and UTs Covered

31

Total Looms

27,82,000

New Enumeration

Transgenders enumerated separately for the first time

Total Number of Female Weavers

72.3% of the total weavers

Handloom Cloth Production (2018-2019)

1,619 million square meters

Average Annual Income

₹43,727

Top States by Number of Weavers

Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

State-wise Data (Top 5 States)

State

Weaver Households

Allied Worker Households

Assam

10,90,573

1,34,293

West Bengal

2,67,793

1,02,00

Tamil Nadu

2,86,267

54,100

Andhra Pradesh

53,660

45,000

Manipur

11,195

34,100

Must read articles:

Handloomsector

Sources:

PIB 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q: Discuss the significance of the handloom sector in India’s socio-economic landscape. What are the major challenges faced by the handloom weavers, and how do government schemes aim to address these issues? Critically analyze the effectiveness of these schemes. (250 words)