President of India Droupadi Murmu presided over the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi on August 8, 2026, where she presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025. The event also featured the release of four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's diverse handloom weaving traditions.
The President emphasized the historical significance of the handloom sector, noting its connection to India's freedom struggle and the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, which prompted the government to designate August 7 as National Handloom Day since 2015. She highlighted the sector's role in fostering employment, women's empowerment, art and culture preservation, and regional diversity.
Murmu stated that the handloom sector has potential to emerge as a prime example of India's rural premium economy, with key clusters being integrated with modern technology and contemporary training methods. She noted the government's various measures to boost weavers' incomes and efforts to transform the sector into a Verified Cultural Economy to enhance its international image.
The President called for proactive hand-holding of youth through government schemes and institutions, emphasizing that young entrepreneurs, designers, and startups can create new opportunities by linking traditional crafts with modern trends, brands, and global value chains. She specifically mentioned Design Resource Centres under Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology and Weavers' Service Centres for their significant work in youth engagement.
Murmu stressed that appropriate use of new technologies is essential for sustainable development of the sector, suggesting that market access can be made more effective through modern digital solutions and e-commerce platforms can significantly strengthen the reach of Indian handloom products to global markets. She expressed confidence that the handloom sector will serve as a robust foundation for the country's inclusive growth and self-reliance.
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award represents the country's highest honor for handloom weavers, recognizing extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication, and sustained contributions to preserving India's weaving traditions. The National Handloom Award honors weavers and stakeholders who demonstrate outstanding creativity, quality, innovation, and excellence while preserving traditional skills and embracing modern techniques.