National Handloom Day is being observed in the country on Friday, August 7, 2026. On one hand, PM Modi urged every citizen to use handloom, and President Droupadi Murmu has said that the handloom sector serves not only as a source of livelihood but also as a powerful instrument of inclusive development.
Addressing the programme on the occasion of the 12th National Handloom Day in New Delhi today, the President said that for thousands of years, handloom has been an integral part of India’s cultural and civilisational journey. She also presented the Sant Kabir National Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Friday, recognising the outstanding contributions of India's handloom weavers and artisans.
President Murmu presented awards on National Handloom Day
President Murmu has addressed the National Handloom Day event at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. During the event, the President conferred the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards for the year 2025. A total of 22 awards, comprising three Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and nineteen National Handloom Awards, were conferred upon the handloom weavers for their craftsmanship, innovation and contribution to the preservation of India’s handloom traditions. The Sant Kabir National Handloom Awards are among the country's highest honours for handloom weavers, particularly in rural India.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu congratulated the awardees and praised the country's weaving community for preserving India's rich textile traditions. She said that Indian handloom products are not just pieces of fabric but symbols of the nation's cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and identity passed down through generations.
Highlighted role of handloom sector
The President highlighted that the handloom sector plays a crucial role in providing livelihoods to millions of weavers, particularly in rural India. She noted that the industry significantly contributes to women's empowerment, employment generation, and sustainable economic development while keeping traditional art forms alive.
The President said that handloom has been an integral part of the evolutionary journey of India’s civilisation for centuries. It reflects the extraordinary diversity of our nation and has preserved our regional uniqueness.
National Handloom Day
National Handloom Day is celebrated every year on August 7 to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which promoted indigenous industries and encouraged the use of Indian-made products.
