Bhubaneswar: Minister of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Rita Sahu on Monday inaugurated the State Level 9th National Handloom Day celebration at Jayadev Bhawan here.
The day is being observed throughout the State covering a week long period i.e. from 7th to 15th August. “This is an opportunity for each and every citizen for respecting our age old weaving culture & tradition and supporting the weaver artisans, who have carried the profession from generation to generation with their exceptional skill and creative ability,” the Minister said.
“Handloom products of our State represent an inseparable art of our rich culture & tradition and act as a source of livelihood for millions of weavers engaged in this activity,” she added.
The 7th August has been chosen for its special significance in India’s freedom struggle. On this day of 1905, the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched at a massive meeting in the Calcutta Town Hall. To commemorate the beginning of Swadeshi Movement, the day is celebrated as National Handloom Day all over the country with the objective to generate awareness on the importance of Handloom Industry and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in general.
On the occasion, three Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies were felicitated for successful completion of 75 years of the service with a memento and cash award of Rs.1 lakh. They are Ratnamanipur WCS Ltd in Berhampur, Netaji WCS Ltd and Alanahat WCS Ltd in Jagatsinghpur. This apart, Gopinath Das of Routpada village in Khordha was also felicitated for his significant contribution in weaving of Angabastra using Ahinsa Silk for Lord Shree Jagannath Temple.
Among others, President of Boyanika Prakash Chandra Meher, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, Special Secretary of the department Saroj Kumar Patel, Director of Textiles Shoven Krishna Sahu and MD of Boyanika Pranati Chhotray were present.
