On the occasion of 6th National Handloom Day, Union Minister for Women & Child Development and Textile Smriti Zubin Irani while addressing the people through video conferencing from New Delhi congratulated the people of the State on the occasion of National Handloom Day and said that Sharan village near Heritage Village Naggar in Kullu district was among the ten villages of the country selected as Craft Handloom Village. Smriti Zubin Irani said that this would not only promote handloom industry but also make these Villages a centre of tourist attraction. She said that NIFT Centres in the country would also help in promoting handloom products in the country. She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also want to promote handloom industry in a big way as this would not only strengthen the economy of the handloom sector but also provide best consumer products.Union Minister said that the Mobile App for Handloom Mark Scheme launched today would not only facilitate the weavers, but also provide consumers genuine handloom products. She said that My Handloom Portal would also help the consumers in getting information regarding best handloom products. She said that Weavers Felicitation Centre would be set up at Saran village. She said that the Union Government would provide all possible help to this sector in the country. She said that we all must encourage local products only then the rural economy could be strengthened.A virtual exhibition was also held on the occasion to link handloom exporters with the buyers.While addressing the people through Video Conferencing from Dehra in Kangra district, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that presently about 20,000 people were using handloom for earning their livelihood. He said that Himachali shawl and cap has earned world fame. He said that Kullu and Kinnauri shawls have been reserved under the Handloom Protection Act by the Government of India and both these products have been patented.
Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Union Minister for giving her consent for developing Sharan village near Heritage Village Naggar in Kullu as Craft Handloom Village. He said that under this the Centre Government has sanctioned Rs. 118.63 lakh and State would contribute Rs 13.40 lakh.Chief Minister said that during the lockdown and subsequently slowdown of economy due to Covid-19 pandemic, cottage industry particularly in rural areas have supplemented the village economy to a large extent. He said that the State Government was striving to promote ‘One District One product’ concept to popularise traditional products of the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was committed for development of handloom in the State. He said that 10 percent grant was being provided for purchase of thread through National Handloom Development Corporation to the handloom entrepreneurs. He said that training was also being provided to about 450 handloom weavers of nine districts through HP State Handicraft and Handloom Corporation. He said that sale of handloom products was also being ensured through 12 sale centres in the State and one sale centre at New Delhi.Chief Minister said that National Handloom Development Programme was being implemented in Kullu, Mandi and Kangra districts of the State. He said that under this programme about 2500 weavers in ten handloom clusters have been provided financial assistance. He said that training was also being provided under ‘Mukhyamantri Gramin Kaushal Yojna’ to the weavers. He said that as many as 700 Weaver Cooperative Societies and cottage industries were functioning in Kullu district. He said that as many as 6000 entrepreneurs were engaged in this avocation and doing about Rs 150 crore annual business.Secretary, Textile, Government of India Ravi Kapoor said that the handloom industry can play a major role in women empowerment in the country. He said that aim of the Government was to promote the handloom of the country throughout the world.Development Commissioner Handloom Sanjay Rastogi welcomed the Union Minister and Chief Minister. He also detailed various activities of the handloom sector.Handloom clusters across the country along with associate designers, all 28 WSCs, 6 IIHTs, NDC, HEPC and NIFT campuses across India, Craft Handloom Village at Kullu, Textile Committee at Mumbai and virtual exhibition at Chennai also participated in the video conference on the occasion.Deputy Commissioner Kullu Dr. Richa Verma said that it was an auspicious occasion for the people of Kullu district as Sharan Village of the district has been selected for Craft Handloom Village.Industries Minister Bikram Thakur, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Ramesh Chand Dhawala and MLA Hoshiar Singh were present on the occasion.