Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati Friday appealed to the people of Odisha to make handloom a part of their lifestyle and wear handloom products at least once a week to support thousands of weaver families across the state.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 12th State-Level National Handloom Day Celebration at IDCO Exhibition Ground here, the Governor highlighted the cultural and economic significance of handloom. “Every handwoven fabric carries a story of skill, perseverance, family tradition and human creativity. Unlike machine-made products, each handloom creation reflects the dedication and personal touch of artisans,” he said.
“When we purchase a handloom product, we are not simply buying a piece of cloth. We are supporting a family, sustaining rural employment, empowering women, preserving traditional knowledge and strengthening our local economy,” the Governor said.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Governor said National Handloom Day is not merely a celebration of an industry but a tribute to India’s civilisation, culture and the skilled hands that have preserved the country’s weaving heritage for centuries.
Observed every year August 7, the day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement, when handwoven textiles became symbols of self-reliance and national pride. Speaking about Odisha’s rich handloom heritage, the Governor said the state’s weaving tradition has its roots in the ancient maritime heritage of Kalinga and continues to remain an integral part of its cultural identity.
Odisha’s renowned handloom products, including Sambalpuri Bandha, Odisha Ikat, Bomkai, Khandua, Kotpad, Habaspuri and Gopalpur Tussar, have earned global recognition for their distinctive designs and craftsmanship. Referring to this year’s theme, “A Piece of Handloom in Everyone’s Life”, he said handloom should not remain confined to special occasions but should become a part of everyday life through clothing, home furnishings and other products.
He appealed to the people of Odisha to make handloom a part of their lifestyle and wear handloom products at least once a week to support thousands of weaver families across the state. “Such a simple personal commitment can become a powerful movement supporting thousands of our weaving families across the state,” he said.
The Governor urged government officials, public representatives, teachers, professionals and young citizens to lead by example by choosing Odisha handloom products. He appreciated the initiatives undertaken to strengthen the sector through design innovation, digital marketing, tourism linkages, institutional support and technology-based product traceability. Congratulating the recipients of the State Handloom Awards, the Governor said weavers are custodians of an invaluable cultural heritage.
He expressed confidence that Odisha’s handloom sector would continue to showcase the state’s identity, creativity and excellence on the global stage. During the programme, videos on “Kusum – Revival of Lost Fabric” and “Karuna Silk” were screened. The foundation stones for Kastaa Handloom Bhavan at Jagatsinghpur, Tasar Silk Park Phase-I and the Tasar Facility Centre under OMBADC at Sukinda in Jajpur were laid, while the Fabric Calendaring Unit at Routpa da in Khordha was inaugurated virtually.
MoUs were also signed with Grasim India Ltd, Zuby’s Designer Studio for sustainable fashion, and Amazon Karigar. The annual activity report of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts department for 2025-26 was also unveiled on the occasion.
Under the collaboration with Amazon Karigar, the state government aims to onboard more than 1.30 lakh eligible weavers and artisans referred by the Directorate of Textiles under Amazon Karigar to sell their handloom products to customers across India.
Cooperation and Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta also addressed the gathering. Handlooms, Textiles and Handi crafts department Commission er-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar delivered the welcome address, while Director of Textiles and Handlooms Surya Narayan Pattnaik proposed the vote of thanks.
