Bhubaneswar: Odisha has a very rich and vibrant heritage of exquisite handloom and finest weaves, honed over generations of artists and craftsmen said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on National Handloom Day Monday. Taking to their social media account, he said, “Let’s celebrate the rich legacy of weaving tradition which has created a niche for Odisha handloom across the world. Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Rita Sahu inaugurated a function on this occasion at Soochana Bhawan here in the presence of Boyanika President Prakash Chandra Meher, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Special Secretary Saroj Kumar Patel Textiles Director Shoven Krishna Sahu and Boyanika MD Pranati Chhotray.
Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said the 9th National Handloom Day is being celebrated throughout the state from August 7 to 15. This is an opportunity for each and every citizen to celebrate our age-old weaving culture and tradition and support the weaver artisans, who have carried the profession with their exceptional skill and creative ability. Handloom products of our state represent an inseparable part of our rich culture and tradition and act as a source of livelihood for millions of weavers engaged in this activity, she added. August 7 has been chosen for its special significance in India’s freedom struggle.
On this day in 1905, the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched at a meeting in Calcutta Town Hall. To commemorate the beginning of the Swadeshi Movement, the day is celebrated as National Handloom Day all over the country with the objective to generate awareness of the importance of the Handloom Industry. Sahu felicitated three Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies namely Ratnamanipur WCS Ltd, Berhampur, Ganjam, Netaji WCS Ltd, Jagatsinghpur, and Alanahat WCS Ltd, Jagatsinghpur for the successful completion of 75 years of service, each with a memento and a cash award of Rs 1 lakh. Apart from this, Gopinath Das of Vill-Routpada, DistKhurda was also felicitated for his significant contribution to the weaving of Angabastra using Ahinsa Silk for Lord Shree Jagannath Temple.