Handloom Utsav starts off in style The three-day Handloom Utsav at Handloom Haat (Handloom Marketing Complex, Janpath, New Delhi) started off today (16th October, 2015) with a very colourful inaugural ceremony. The students of Department of Fabric and Apparel Science, Lady Irwin College, Delhi University entertained and sensitized the audience to the beauty and richness of handlooms of India, with their thematic 'Nukkad Natak', traditional dance and fashion display. The performances conveyed that there is a need for the youth to break the wall of conservatism and embrace handlooms for the unique value they offer. Colours! Of the Great Handloom tradition of India! Images from the #Handloom Festival at Handloom House in Janpath pic.twitter.com/1nBemXHirZ - PIB India (@PIB_India) October 16, 2015 Inaugurating the celebration of Indian handlooms, Shri Alok Kumar, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), highlighted the hard work, concentration and commitment that goes into the making of handloom products. He said that weavers regard their work as tapasya. He recalled the message given by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the declaration of August 7 as National Handloom Day: Let's promote handlooms with a sense of pride, not of pity. Shri Kumar added, "A handloom cloth is specially created for you, let's wear it with pride". PM @narendramodi has exhorted us to promote handloom with a sense of pride, not pity:Sh. Alok Kumar, DC (#Handlooms) pic.twitter.com/Apaqmlk58j - Ministry of Textiles (@TexMinIndia) October 16, 2015 The DC (Handlooms) also talked about the importance of branding and the launch of India Handloom brand, which would provide a mark of authenticity to the consumer. Shri Kumar said that the Government is conducting consumer research to better understand the tastes and preferences of youth, so that products can be made accordingly. He also noted that PM has said that handlooms should be promoted on the strength of natural dyes. He said that the Handloom Utsav is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Textiles, to promote handlooms in a mission mode. The fair is being held to build awareness about Indian handlooms amongst youth. It is being organized by the Department of Fabric and Apparel Science, Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, in collaboration with Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and ACASH, Ministry of Textiles. The fair showcases choicest handloom products by award winning artisans from all over India. Visitors will also get a chance to see the live demonstrations of different types of handlooms such as Kani loom from Kashmir, Jaquard loom, backstrap loom from North-East and many more. The fair also features an array of competitive activities with attractive cash prizes. These include Fashion Show competition, Rangoli making, T-shirt painting, slogan writing, mehndi making, newspaper dresses, etc. Efforts have been made on a large scale to mobilize college students from all over Delhi and NCR to visit the fair and participate in various creative activities. All are welcome! Related: Handloom Utsav: A celebration of India's Handlooms
