National Handloom Day being observed today

National Handloom Day is being observed today to encourage people to use hand-made loom in the country. The main event will be held in Guwahati to celebrate the third National Handloom Day.

Central Government has declared August 7 as National Handloom Day, to be celebrated every year due to its significance in India's history, as 'Swadeshi Movement' was launched in 1905 on this day. The movement involved revival of domestic products and production processes.

Union Minister of state for Textile Ajay Tamta, Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and other senior ministers of the state will be attending the main event in Assam.

This event will give a boost to weavers of Assam, who are known for producing Pat and Muga silk. The Assam government has already announced an ambitious Muga Mission to increase production with a cost of 100 crore rupees.

Over one thousand weavers from North East India are expected to participate in the celebration of the National Handloom day in Guwahati.

A documentary on handloom will also be screened on the occasion.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the first National Handloom Day on August 7 in 2015, at a national level function in Chennai.

According to government data, 95 percent of the world's hand woven fabric comes from India. This sector contributes nearly 15 percent of the cloth production in the country. It also contributes to the country's export earnings.

Meanwhile, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has said that weavers in the northeast would be given several services through Weavers Service Centres.

Addressing weavers in Guwahati yesterday, Irani said these Services Centres will serve as one-stop centres for various services like banking, passport, insurance, PAN card, Voter ID and Adhaar.