11th National Handloom Day Celebrated with ‘Haat on Wheels’ and Expo Launch

In a vibrant celebration of India’s rich textile legacy, the Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), commemorated the 11th National Handloom Day on August 7, 2025, with the launch of the Exclusive Handloom Expo and the innovative “Haat on Wheels” initiative at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, alongside Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita and Secretary Textiles Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, in the presence of weavers, artisans, senior officials, and craft lovers.

Honoring India’s Weaving Traditions

In his inaugural address, Shri Giriraj Singh reaffirmed the government’s deep commitment to the handloom sector, highlighting that handlooms are not merely fabrics but symbols of India’s cultural identity and rural livelihood. “Our weavers are the true bearers of India’s heritage. Their art is not just traditional but timeless. Through initiatives like ‘Haat on Wheels’ and dedicated expos, we aim to support them economically and bring them closer to the modern marketplace,” he said.

The Union Minister emphasized that handlooms contribute significantly to the rural economy, employing over 35 lakh weavers and allied workers, and have immense potential to drive self-reliance and sustainable development under the Vocal for Local campaign.

Theme: “My Handloom, My Pride; My Product, My Pride”

This year’s National Handloom Day focused on the theme “My Handloom, My Pride; My Product, My Pride”, spotlighting 116 distinctive Indian weaves. The theme underscores a national movement to reclaim and revalue handmade craftsmanship and encourage consumers to make conscious, indigenous choices in fashion and lifestyle.

From Jamdani of Bengal to Pochampally of Telangana, Patola of Gujarat, Eri from the Northeast, Chanderi and Maheshwari of Madhya Pradesh, and Kani from Kashmir, the expo celebrates the diversity of India’s handloom heritage under one roof.

Exclusive Handloom Expo: A Living Textile Museum

Open to the public from August 7–10, 2025, the Exclusive Handloom Expo at Handloom Haat, Janpath, brings together master weavers and artisans from every region of India. The expo is designed not just as a shopping destination, but also as an educational and cultural experience.

Key Features:

• 116 unique weaves showcased across curated stalls

• Live weaving demonstrations to engage visitors in the intricacies of the craft

• Direct retail interface allowing artisans to sell their work without middlemen

• Interactive sessions with weavers, cultural displays, and panel discussions

This experiential showcase aims to connect urban audiences with traditional artisans, thereby fostering respect, recognition, and economic empowerment.

‘Haat on Wheels’: Taking Heritage to the Streets

The “Haat on Wheels” initiative marks a first-of-its-kind mobile retail platform for handloom products in India. Designed as a traveling marketplace, the vehicle will carry authentic handloom products sourced from weavers and cooperatives directly to the consumers of Delhi NCR.

Route and Objectives:

• The van will travel through markets, residential colonies, art districts, and tourist hotspots

• Promotes direct-to-consumer sales, cutting logistics costs and increasing artisan earnings

• Raises awareness about sustainable fashion, eco-friendly textiles, and the importance of handmade in India

• Acts as a mobile ambassador of India’s textile traditions, igniting interest and pride in younger, urban consumers

By blending mobility with retail, the initiative ensures accessibility and visibility for artisans, especially those from remote and underrepresented regions.

Promoting Economic Inclusion and Sustainable Fashion

The Ministry of Textiles emphasized that these initiatives are part of a larger strategy to revitalize the handloom economy, enhance market linkages, and integrate Indian weavers into global value chains. Through policy support, e-commerce collaborations, skill development, and branding efforts, the Ministry aims to reposition Indian handlooms as premium, sustainable, and fashionable alternatives to mass-produced clothing.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh stated, “We envision a future where Indian handloom products are seen not only as cultural treasures but also as aspirational lifestyle choices in both Indian and global markets.”

A National Celebration with Global Significance

The 11th National Handloom Day is a tribute to the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, which began on this day to encourage indigenous production and boycott foreign goods. Today, the Ministry’s efforts mirror that spirit by empowering weavers to reclaim their rightful place in the economy.

The day also witnessed interactive sessions, weaver award recognitions, and policy roundtables with stakeholders, reinforcing the government’s resolve to build an inclusive, sustainable, and proud future for India’s textile sector.

By launching the Haat on Wheels and the Exclusive Handloom Expo, the Ministry of Textiles is not only celebrating India’s textile heritage but also charting a bold new path for its future. As India steps into the next phase of digital and creative economies, such grassroots-centered, artisan-led initiatives will ensure that the weaver's thread continues to bind India’s cultural and economic fabric.