National Handloom Day 2025 – Weaving Innovation into Tradition

Why in NEWS

India celebrates National Handloom Day every year on 7th August, marking the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905. The day honors the handloom community, highlights its role in rural economy, women’s empowerment, and sustainable production. Theme 2025: “Weaving Innovation into Tradition.”

Key Terms / Concepts

Term	Explanation
National Handloom Day	Annual celebration (7th August) to honor the handloom sector and commemorate the Swadeshi Movement’s launch in 1905.
Swadeshi Movement	Anti-colonial movement (1905) promoting indigenous goods and boycotting British products.
GI Tag (Handloom)	Legal protection for products linked to a specific region, preserving authenticity and traditional skills.
KVIC	Khadi and Village Industries Commission, promoting rural industries and khadi products.

Swadeshi Movement – Background and Key Points

Aspect	Details
Trigger	Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon, seen as a divisive colonial strategy.
Launch	August 1905, Calcutta Townhall meeting; boycott of British goods like Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt.
Methods	Boycott of foreign goods, promotion of local products, national education, volunteer samitis, use of festivals (e.g., Ganapati, Shivaji, Raksha Bandhan) for mass mobilization.
Leaders	Moderate phase – Surendranath Banerjee; Radical phase – Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Social Impact	Women’s participation, cultural revival (Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’), promotion of self-reliance.
Political Impact	INC’s adoption of Swaraj as goal (1906), Morley-Minto Reforms (1909), rise of revolutionary activism.
Outcome	Annulment of Bengal Partition in 1911 by Lord Hardinge.

Contemporary Relevance

Initiative	Connection to Swadeshi Ideals
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan	Promotes self-reliance, local manufacturing, global competitiveness; launched with ₹20 lakh crore stimulus during pandemic.
Make in India	Encourages domestic manufacturing; FDI rose from USD 45 billion (2015) to USD 81.04 billion (2024–25); exports hit USD 437 billion in 2024.
Khadi Revival	KVIC turnover growth: production ↑ 347%, sales ↑ 447% (2013–2025), employment for 1.94 crore people.
Economic Nationalism	Focus on domestic industries via protectionism and import substitution.

Role of Handloom Sector in India’s Economy

Aspect	Details
Employment	Largest cottage industry; 35 lakh workers, 72% women.
Sustainability	Eco-friendly, rural livelihood, cultural heritage preservation.
Global Share	95% of world’s handwoven fabric produced in India.
Exports	USD 10.94 billion (FY23) in cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups; major markets: US, UAE, Spain, UK, France, Italy.

Government Initiatives for Handloom Sector

Scheme / Initiative	Objective
National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)	Sustainable growth through design support, tech upgrades, marketing.
Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS)	Quality yarn at subsidized rates; 15% yarn subsidy.
PM MUDRA Yojana	Low-interest loans for weavers.
Workshed Scheme	Workspace near home; full subsidy for marginalized weavers.
GI Protection	104 handloom products registered.
GeM Onboarding	1.8 lakh weavers registered on Government e-Marketplace.
Welfare Measures	Social security via PMJJBY, PMSBY, and MGBBY.

In a nutshell

Memory Code – “Weave-Self”
W – Women empowerment
E – Economic nationalism
A – Atmanirbhar Bharat
V – Value for tradition & culture
E – Eco-friendly production
S – Swadeshi roots
E – Export strength
L – Local for global
F – Financial support schemes

Prelims Practice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a method used in the Swadeshi Movement?
   a) Boycott of British goods
   b) Promotion of indigenous industries
   c) Establishment of Indian-origin banks
   d) Petitioning the British Parliament
2. Consider the following statements regarding the handloom sector in India:
   1. India produces 95% of the world’s handwoven fabric.
   2. Over 70% of handloom weavers are women.
      Which of the above is/are correct?
      a) 1 only
      b) 2 only
      c) Both 1 and 2
      d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. The 1905 Carlyle Circular was issued to:
   a) Ban the import of foreign cloth
   b) Suppress student participation in political protests
   c) Establish national schools in India
   d) Promote Indian language education

Mains Practice Questions

1. The Swadeshi Movement was more than an economic boycott; it was a cultural and political awakening. Discuss. 10 Marks
2. Examine the contemporary relevance of the Swadeshi Movement’s ideals in the context of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. 10 Marks

Prelims Answers & Explanations

Q.No.	Answer	Explanation
1	c	Indian-origin banks were not a central strategy of the Swadeshi Movement, though some emerged later as part of economic nationalism.
2	c	India produces 95% of world’s handwoven fabric; 72% of handloom weavers are women.
3	b	The Carlyle Circular (1905) threatened withdrawal of scholarships from students involved in political protests, aiming to curb nationalism in educational institutions.