Manipur CM Highlights Women’s Backbone Role in Handloom Sector on 12th National Handloom day

Imphal, August 7, 2026: Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and Chief Minister Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, attended the 12th National Handloom Day celebration at the City Convention Centre in Imphal today. The event was organised by the Department of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Government of Manipur, under the theme “Threads of tradition: Weaving culture through handlooms.”

In his speech, the Chief Minister, while highlighting the significance of the event, stated that National Handloom Day is observed across the country to commemorate the historic Swadeshi Movement, which began in Calcutta in 1905 to protest against the partition of Bengal by the British during the colonial period.

The movement encouraged the use of indigenous products, particularly handwoven textiles and locally made goods.

He further highlighted that on 7th August 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, officially launched the annual observance of National Handloom Day in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. From that day onwards, the country has been observing this important day, empowering the handloom and handicraft artisans and the weaver community, he added.

Narrating his childhood life, the Chief Minister said that half of the share of family expenses in Manipur, where handloom has been the tradition of every household, is borne by women through income generated from handloom activities.

He said that 95 percent of handloom producers belong to women, while the remaining 5 percent are men. Khemchand Singh highlighted that the celebration aims to promote and encourage the country's handloom and handicrafts sector.

In Manipur as well, both men and women engaged in handloom and handicrafts continue to produce a wide range of innovative products. Their creations are not only gaining recognition within the State but are also earning appreciation and popularity in markets beyond the State. He continued that most of the handloom products are being used by women and encouraged men to also use handloom products.

As part of the event, a short video documentary titled “Threads of Heritage” was screened, and a data book on handloom, along with a coffee table book titled “Threads of Heritage: Traditional and GI-Tagged Handwoven Stoles of Manipur,” were officially released.

During the function, State Awards for Outstanding Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans for the year 2025-26 were distributed. The winners of the Best Cluster Designer Award for Home Furnishing at the National Handloom Designers’ Conclave 2026 were also felicitated.

The event was attended by Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Secretary of Manipur; Dr. Anurag Bajpai, Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur; Padmashree M. Muktamani Devi; Prof. Arunita Das from NIFT, Shillong; Indira Chanu, National Awardee and Exporter; weavers, artisans, among others.