Bhubaneswar: The two-day National Conference of Handlooms and Handicrafts concluded today at Hotel Taj Vivanta, Bhubaneswar, with active participation from representatives of all States and Union Territories. The consultative meeting served as an effective platform for knowledge sharing, exchange of best practices, and formulation of new schemes to strengthen the handloom and handicrafts sector across India.
Neelam Shammi Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, appreciated the collaborative spirit of all participants and called for a coordinated approach among States and Central agencies to ensure holistic development of the sector. She emphasized the importance of technology adoption, cluster-based growth, and market diversification for sustainable livelihoods of artisans and weavers. “Modern toolkits must be provided to weavers and artisans to reduce time, energy, and effort while ensuring better quality of finished products” she said. “We must minimize the gap between artisans and the government. Cluster-based development, increased designer engagement, online marketing, and aggressive promotion are essential for the sector’s resurgence,” she added.
Delivering the valedictory address, Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, underscored the need to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. She highlighted that handloom and handicrafts are not just the economic backbone of rural India but also the living identity of the nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Calling for dignity and welfare of artisans, she stressed on infrastructure development, strengthening of the raw material supply chain, construction of new godowns, and creation of intermediary institutions for training, preservation, and market support.
Smt. Garg further emphasized that the next generation should be brought into the fold through modern design, improved patterns, and exposure to emerging markets. She also called for an annual exhibition calendar and enhanced focus on export promotion to enhance the global footprint of Indian handlooms and handicrafts.
The conference also witnessed deliberations from Smt. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), who shared insights on central initiatives and strategies for scaling up production, enhancing market linkages, and promoting exports.
Addressing the gathering, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Odisha, highlighted the State’s comprehensive development initiatives in the sector. She outlined various measures being undertaken in Odisha for skill development, cluster support, design innovation, digital empowerment and sustainable livelihoods, reaffirming the government’s commitment to build an enabling ecosystem that nurtures creativity and ensures inclusive growth. Reaffirming the State’s commitment, she said Odisha stands at the forefront of preserving heritage while opening new global avenues for its weavers and artisans.
Delegates from across India appreciated the successful organisation of the conference by the Government of Odisha, acknowledging the State’s leadership in promoting and preserving India’s rich handloom and handicraft traditions.
