On August 7, 2024, India marked the 10th Nationwide Handloom Day, a celebration devoted to honoring the handloom weavers and employees who maintain the nation’s wealthy textile heritage. The handloom sector, which employs round 3.5 million folks both straight or not directly, is a major contributor to the Indian economic system, second solely to agriculture. With India’s increasing inhabitants and export alternatives, the handloom trade has the potential to evolve into 250 billion greenback trade by 2030. Specialists shared that the trade can play an important function serving to India scale the $5 trillion GDP mark.
The World Designing Discussion board’s occasion in Agra, celebrating the Handloom trade’s varied milestones, efficiently introduced collectively weavers, artisans, and designers from throughout India. The event showcased a various array of handloom clothes, highlighting the wealthy number of India’s textile traditions. IAS Ritu Maheshwari, the occasion’s chief visitor, praised the organizers for his or her efforts to advertise handloom as a vital part of India’s cultural id.
Panel discussions featured distinguished figures discussing the way forward for handloom in world style. Srashti Kulshrestha, Director of WDF Worldwide, and Shekhar Dixit, President of the World Couture League, shared their insights on how conventional handloom methods might be preserved and tailored via fashionable design improvements.
Ankush Anami, CEO of the World Designing Discussion board, emphasised the financial potential of a extra centered method to handloom in style. “The handloom trade has vital potential to reinforce India’s GDP if its profile is elevated each domestically and internationally,” Anami famous. His remarks underscored the chance for handloom to be acknowledged not solely as a craft however as a precious financial asset.
The occasion additionally launched a brand new initiative: the creation of a Handloom Cluster and Designer Hub in Agra. This undertaking goals to help rising style designers by offering assets and fostering collaboration, guaranteeing the continued evolution of handloom and its relevance within the world style trade. The hub is predicted to be a middle of excellence, serving to maintain and develop the handloom sector whereas benefiting artisans who protect this historic craft.
At present, the Indian handloom trade is valued at roughly $60 billion, reflecting its substantial function within the economic system and its contributions to each home and worldwide markets.
