Textile sector turning out to be country's strength: Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi highlights success in 124th 'Mann Ki Baat'

In his latest Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi linked the origins of National Handloom Day, celebrated annually on August 7, with the Swadeshi movement of 1905, calling it a pivotal turning point in India’s self-reliance journey. As 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of National Handloom Day, he underscored the textile sector’s transformative impact on both the economy and society, much like Khadi during the freedom struggle. He highlighted inspiring examples of modernisation and empowerment in rural India, such as Ms. Kavita Dhawale from Maharashtra, who transitioned from limited resources to selling her own handwoven Paithani sarees, and tribal women in Odisha who revived the Santhali saree, generating stable incomes. He also shared the story of Mr. Naveen Kumar’s family from Nalanda, Bihar, which has modernised its traditional handloom work and now collaborates with leading brands, illustrating how tradition and innovation can co-exist to fuel growth.

He emphasised that the textile and apparel sector, one of India's most culturally diverse industries, is seeing robust expansion with contributions from across demographics: rural women, urban designers, elderly weavers, and tech-savvy youth running start-ups. Over 3,000 textile start-ups are currently operational, elevating India’s handloom identity on the global stage. Calling the sector a cornerstone of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he urged citizens to be "vocal for local" by prioritising Indian-made goods. He asserted that self-reliance and grassroots innovation are key to achieving India’s 2047 development vision. National Handloom Day not only honours weavers but also raises awareness about the sector’s economic and cultural importance in building a resilient, inclusive economy.

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