The National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts in Bhubaneswar showcased India’s textile legacy, empowering artisans and promoting sustainable growth
OdishaPlus Bureau
The National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts, organized by the Union Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, concluded on Saturday in Bhubaneswar, showcasing India’s rich weaving traditions and exploring pathways for future growth.
The two-day event was aimed at empowering artisans, promoting India’s craft economy, and strengthening the handloom and handicraft sectors through knowledge sharing, innovation, market linkages, and collaboration among states.
Inaugurating the conference, the state Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, highlighted India’s illustrious textile legacy and called for sustained efforts to foster innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth among artisan communities.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Veena Kumari Meena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handcrafts), Ministry of Textiles, emphasized India’s vision to strengthen its traditional craft sectors, enhance artisan livelihoods, and position Indian handlooms and handicrafts as global symbols of sustainability and inclusive development.
Delivering the welcome address, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department of the Odisha government, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to empowering weavers and artisans through initiatives that blend tradition with technology.
Following the inauguration, a series of thematic sessions showcased best practices from various states, focusing on key areas such as market linkages, cluster development, infrastructure, welfare, skill enhancement, and raw material supply.
The first session, “Market Connect: Expanding Reach, Building Brands,” featured presentations from Assam, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, highlighting state-led initiatives that enhance market access and global visibility for local artisans.
Subsequent sessions delved into cluster-based development (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), infrastructure and craft villages (Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya, Nagaland), and welfare and skill development programmes (Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh). An Open House Discussion was held to conclude the conference.
The national conference provided a platform for direct interaction among policymakers, artisans, and stakeholders, for fostering a participatory dialogue on the future of India’s handloom and handicraft sectors.
A wonderful step to develop the handi crafts Handloom sectors, i have spent 30 years in the field of crafts and textile, name of new Design the traditional techniques has been spoiled, mostly in odisha the training programs are not successful due to nonetraind craftsmen, instead of Natural colours chemical colours are used , instead of using old Design need to adopt Shilpa guru’s and Designers having good knowledge about the crafts and textile, still odisha has to take good step in Administrator label, there are no Design Centre to help the master crafts men to create contemporary craft Designs for the modern byers, i hope the intellectuals lik you should Advise the present good going Government, regards.