Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in a reaffirmation, underscores that the Indian prime minister's Swadeshi vision prioritizes the interests of farmers and artisans, emphasizing this point on National Handloom Day.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan celebrated National Handloom Day on August 7, 2025, with a virtual interaction with lakhs of women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the country. The event, held at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, marked the celebration of National Handloom Day to honour India's rich handloom tradition, which has thrived for over 5,000 years.
Minister Chouhan hailed the contribution of SHG women in preserving India's local arts. He acknowledged concerns raised by SHG women regarding marketing and branding and assured that the government would work seriously on these issues, providing training in design and innovation based on market demand.
During the event, SHG women displayed their handloom products at stalls, which Minister Chouhan personally visited and appreciated. He called on citizens to adopt the 'Vocal for Local' approach during festivals, emphasising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong support for indigenous products.
The Indian government has taken multiple significant steps to support SHG women in marketing and branding their handloom products. Key initiatives include marketing platforms and e-commerce promotion, branding initiatives like the Handloom Mark and India Handloom Brand, the Small Cluster Development Programme, skill development and design support, and holistic scheme support under the National Handloom Development Programme. These measures aim to promote skill enhancement, cluster development, quality certification, branding, digital marketing, and market linkages specifically tailored to women SHGs.
Minister Chouhan expressed satisfaction over the growing number of 'Lakhpati Didis', SHG members earning over Rs 1 lakh annually, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). He stated that handloom is a symbol of self-reliance and was once a powerful tool in India's non-violent freedom movement.
Many SHG members shared how the NRLM has not only provided economic stability but also enhanced their social standing. Quality is key to staying competitive, according to Chouhan, who urged all SHG members to maintain the highest standards in their products. He also assured that no agreement with any country will ever come at the cost of Indian farmers, artisans, or small entrepreneurs.
The Minister's words echoed the Prime Minister's sentiment that the nation's interest will never be compromised. The event, filled with the vibrant colours and rich textures of India's handloom heritage, served as a testament to the government's commitment to empowering women and preserving India's cultural legacy.
- The Minister's initiative to address marketing and branding concerns highlights the government's dedication to the 'education and self-development' and 'skills training' of Self Help Group (SHG) women, ensuring they can effectively showcase their 'fashion-and-beauty' and 'home-and-garden' handloom products.
- As the number of 'Lakhpati Didis', SHG members earning over Rs 1 lakh annually, continues to grow under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), it signifies the success of the government's 'policy-and-legislation' to empower women and boost the 'personal-growth' and 'career-development' opportunities in the handloom sector.
- With the continuing emphasis on 'Vocal for Local' products during festivals, a closer look at the 'general-news' reveals a growing trend among citizens to buy local handloom items, positively impacting the economics of rural artisans and contributing to the 'politics' of self-reliance.
- Amidst discussions on 'policy-and-legislation', it's essential to recognize that the protection of Indian farmers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs is a significant 'policy-and-legislation' concern ensuring the sustainability of 'fashion-and-beauty', 'home-and-garden', 'education-and-self-development', and 'personal-growth' industries.
- The government's support for Self Help Group (SHG) women extends beyond marketing and branding, including initiatives to promote 'skills training' and design support, ensuring high-quality products that stand out in a competitive 'fashion-and-beauty' and 'home-and-garden' market, while preserving India's rich cultural 'policy-and-legislation' and 'politics' heritage.
