Srijan Programme: Ministry of Textiles Honours Women Weavers
Why in the news
The Ministry of Textiles has organised a New Delhi programme that lets women weavers tell their own stories and recognises their part in India’s handloom heritage.
Key facts
- Event: Srijan: Voices from the Loom, in New Delhi.
- Organiser: Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
- Participants: more than 100 women weavers from six handloom clusters.
- Features: personal narratives, themes of resilience and preserving weaving skills across generations, and an anthology release.
Why women weavers
- The handloom sector is described as India’s largest cottage industry and the second biggest rural employer after agriculture.
- About 35 lakh handloom workers, roughly 70% of them women.
Handloom background
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| National Handloom Day | 7 August, recalling the Swadeshi Movement launched in 1905 |
| Nodal body | Ministry of Textiles (Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms) |
| Legal reservation | Handloom Reservation Act, 1985 |
| Quality marks | India Handloom Brand; Handloom Mark |
Related schemes
- National Handloom Development Programme: clusters, marketing, credit, skills.
- Raw Material Supply Scheme: subsidised yarn.
- Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme: insurance.
- Shilp Didi for women artisans; Samarth for textile skilling.
Exam angle
- Organiser: Ministry of Textiles.
- National Handloom Day: 7 August.
- Law reserving items for handlooms: Handloom Reservation Act, 1985.