The two-day National Conference on Handlooms and Handicrafts, which concluded here on Saturday, turned out to be an absorbing consultative event to serve as an effective platform for knowledge-sharing, exchange of best practices, and formulation of new schemes to strengthen the handloom and handicrafts sector across India.
The conference witnessed active participation from representatives of all states and Union Territories.
Speaking on the occasion, Neelam Shammi Rao, Secretary, Union Ministry of Textiles, appreciated the collaborative spirit of all participants and called for a coordinated approach among states and central agencies to ensure holistic development of the sector.
She also emphasised the importance of technology adoption, cluster-based growth, and market diversification for the sustainable livelihoods of artisans and weavers.
“Modern toolkits must be provided to weavers and artisans to reduce time, energy, and effort while ensuring better quality of finished products,” she said. “We must minimise the gap between artisans and the government. Cluster-based development, increased designer engagement, online marketing, and aggressive promotion are essential for the sector’s resurgence,” she further added.
Delivering the valedictory address, Anu Garg, State’s Development Commissioner, underscored the need to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Garg highlighted that handloom and handicrafts are not just the economic backbone of rural India but also the living identity of the nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Calling for dignity and welfare of artisans, she stressed infrastructure development, strengthening of the raw material supply chain, construction of new godowns, and creation of intermediary institutions for training, preservation, and market support.
Garg further emphasised that the next generation should be brought into the fold through modern design, improved patterns, and exposure to emerging markets. She also called for an annual exhibition calendar and enhanced focus on export promotion to enhance the global footprint of Indian handlooms and handicrafts.
The conference also witnessed deliberations by M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), who shared insights on central initiatives and strategies for scaling up production, strengthening market linkages, and promoting exports.
Addressing the gathering, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, the state’s Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, highlighted Odisha’s comprehensive development initiatives in the sector.
She outlined various measures being undertaken in Odisha for skill development, cluster support, design innovation, digital empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building an enabling ecosystem that nurtures creativity and ensures inclusive growth.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, she said Odisha stands at the forefront of preserving heritage while opening new global avenues for its weavers and artisans.