Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Speaking on the legacy of handlooms in Assam, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We just don't wear handlooms; we wear pride, we wear history, and we wear the spirit of Assam."
Speaking on the occasion of the National Handloom Day today, the Chief Minister paid respects to the works of the weavers who remain committed to the tradition of weaving clothes.
The Chief Minister said, "We honour the hands that weave not just fabric but culture, identity and pride. From the royal glow of muga to the soft elegance of eri and paat, Assam's handlooms carry the warmth of home and strength of generations."
According to the handloom census 2019-20, Assam is home to 12.83 lakh weavers, of whom more than 90 percent are women.
State Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah celebrated the National Handlooms Day at the Craft Promotion and Experience Centre in Guwahati. He said, "Handloom is not only an art. It's our pride and identity."
The North Eastern Handicraft and Handloom Development Corporation Ltd. organized the programme. Borah said, "The Assam government resolves to elevate the state's handloom industry to global prominence, underscoring the need for innovative marketing, technology adoption and artisan-centric development models."
NABARD also celebrated the National Handlooms Day with the theme 'Handlooms for Reinvigorating the Rural Economy of Assam'. Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Dilip Kumar Borah underscored the national and global recognition of Assamese handlooms, citing the Prime Minister's use of the phulam gamosa on international platforms and the Chief Minister's focused initiatives for the sector.
The Finance Secretary said, "Swanirbhar Naari portal has registered 5.64 lakh weavers and facilitated the marketing of over 11 lakh products."
The Chief General Manager of NABARD (Assam region), Loken Das, said, "Over 8,000 weavers have benefited in recent years from NABARD-supported initiatives, including skilling programmes, rural enterprise promotion, and marketing infrastructure with grant assistance exceeding Rs 528 lakh."
The programme also witnessed two thematic panel discussions on 'Challenges of the Handloom Sector in Assam' and 'Prospects of Handloom to Rejuvenate Assam's Rural Economy', where experts, policymakers and stakeholders exchanged insights to chart a progressive path forward for the handloom industry.
The handloom sector continues to be a pillar of India's rural economy and cultural identity. Employing over 35 lakh people, with more than 70 percent of them women, the sector is a beacon of sustainable development, women's empowerment and eco-friendly production.
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