Celebrating National Handloom Day: Top 5 government schemes and ways to empower Indian weavers

National Handloom Day (Image: Canva)

National Handloom Day, observed on August 7 each year, honors the significant contributions of weavers to India’s socio-economic development. The day promotes handloom products and supports their use to sustain the livelihoods of artisans. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai in 2015, this day has become a tribute to the artistry and dedication of handloom weavers.

As we celebrate the 10th National Handloom Day, let’s delve into the Indian government schemes supporting weavers and explore how we can actively contribute to empowering them.

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1. MUDRA Scheme: Under the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) scheme, weavers can avail of loans at concessional interest rate for working capital and other business needs. This financial support helps weavers expand their businesses and increase production.
2. Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS): The YSS ensures an adequate and timely supply of yarn to handloom weavers at reasonable prices. This scheme helps reduce the cost of production and improves the competitiveness of handloom products.
3. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): The NHDP aims to provide comprehensive support to the handloom sector through cluster-based interventions. It includes marketing assistance, technological upgradation, and infrastructure support.
4. Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme: This scheme addresses the health, life, and work-related issues of handloom weavers. It includes health insurance, life insurance, and a range of welfare measures to improve the living standards of weavers.
5. Handloom Mark Scheme: The Handloom Mark is a certification that authenticates genuine handloom products. This scheme helps consumers identify authentic handloom products and protects weavers from unfair competition from power loom and mill-made fabrics.

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How Can We Support Handloom Weavers to Empower Them?

Buy Handloom Products: The simplest way to support handloom weavers is to purchase handloom products. By choosing handloom over mass-produced textiles, you directly contribute to the livelihood of weavers and help sustain their craft.

Promote Handloom: Use social media platforms to promote handloom products and raise awareness about the importance of supporting the handloom sector. Share stories of weavers, showcase their products, and encourage others to buy handloom.

Participate in Exhibitions and Fairs: Attend handloom exhibitions and fairs where weavers showcase their products. These events provide direct market access to weavers and help them earn better prices for their products.

Support Government Initiatives: Contribute to and support government schemes and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of handloom weavers. Volunteering, donating, or partnering with these organizations can make a significant impact.

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Educate and Advocate: Educate yourself and others about the challenges faced by handloom weavers and the importance of preserving this traditional craft. Advocate for policies and practices that support fair trade and better working conditions for weavers.

Encourage Sustainable Practices: Handloom weaving is often more sustainable and eco-friendly than industrial textile production. By supporting handloom, you also contribute to sustainable fashion and reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.