Speaker Legislative Assembly J&K, Kavinder Gupta today stressed on the need for highlighting the contribution of handloom towards the socioeconomic development of the society and promote the activity to increase income of weavers and also enhance their pride.He said for past four years the development and promotion of handicrafts and handloom sector has been flagged as prime objective of the government and many steps are being taken in this regard by the state and central governments.Kavinder Gupta was speaking at a function organised to mark 3rd National Handloom Day here at Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar.An exhibition was also organized on the occasion by the Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.The exhibition showcased products of finest quality of products drawn from some of the exotic locations of J&K. The products range from silk, classic Pashmina shawls, world famous Kani shawls, exotic embroidered shawls, Basohli Pashmina shawls, and many other products produced by the weavers, artisans and craftsmen of the state.
The Handloom Day is celebrated all over the country in cooperation with State governments.The Speaker said that handloom and handicraft industry is one of the largest economic activities after agriculture and tourism in the state, providing direct and indirect employment to lakhs of weavers and allied workers. He said these events provide a platform to the artisans and weavers of the state to exhibit and market their products.Highlighting the importance of the day, Kavinder Gupta said that the national handloom day is being observed annually on August 7, to honour the handloom weavers in the state as well as in the country. Speaker said the date August 7th was chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi movement which was launched on this date in 1905 in the Calcutta town hall to protest against partition of Bengal by the British government. The movement was aimed to revive domestic products and production processes.MLA Jammu East Rajesh Gupta, Principal Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar Koushal Somotra, Addl. Director General, DFP J&K Region R. P. Saroj, Assistant Directors of Handlooms, Handicrafts besides senior officers of concerned departments, students of college were also present on the occasion.