The first National Handloom Day will be launched by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Chennai on August 7. This day has been chosen to honour the Swadeshi Andolan, which was launched in 1905 and Chennai has been choosen as PM wanted that the event be organized at a place which has more people associated with Indian Handloom, said Union Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar.

Observance of National Handloom Day would generate awareness about the importance of handloom industry as a part of rich heritage and culture, promote handloom products and lead to increase in income of weavers as well as enhance their confidence and pride, the Textiles Ministry stated.

They are organizing an exhibition to showcase initiatives taken in textiles sector during the last one year, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. The India Handloom Brand will also be launched on the occasion, which will provide quality assurance to buyers.

Besides, Sant Kabir awards and National awards will be presented to distinguished handloom workers for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively at the function.

Last year, the Textile Minsitry had inked a pact with e-retailing major Flipkart to provide an online marketing platform to handloom weavers across the country. Textiles Secretary S K Panda admitted that the arrangement did not bear the desired outcome.

He informed that there are some constraints in selling high-value branded products through Internet. Due to lack of quality assurance, their arrangement with Flipkart did not give desired results. In between, they have given request for quotation (RFQ) to many entities barring Flipkart.

The first three people will be also presented the India Handloom Brand by PM Modi on August 7. Thereafter, interested entrepreneurs may apply for the brand. Textiles Secretary S K Panda, elaborating on the India Handloom Brand, said that it will be given to entrepreneurs who promise quality of yarn, purity of design and abide by zero defect, zero effect.

A Textile Committee will decide on the application, after which they will give a registration certificate to the person if he/she meets the criteria. If there is violation of the terms and conditions they will cancel the registration.

On the new National Textiles Policy, which aims to achieve USD 300 billion exports by 2024-25 and envisages creation of additional 35 million jobs, Gangwar said that the Textiles Ministry is yet to receive comments from all states, after which the policy will be finalised and presented to the Union Cabinet for approval. During the next 1 to 1.5 years, it will be provide training to around 15 lakh persons under Integrated Skill Development Scheme.

The government is also trying to develop some villages which have weavers, etc. associated with handloom and handicraft as tourism destinations.

Besides establishing showrooms in all state capitals to promote products under the India Handloom Brand, on land provided by state governments.