Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, alongside Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, inaugurated the Textile Pavilion at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi. This grand event, themed around the ‘Janjatiya’ community in honor of the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, showcases India's vibrant handloom and handicraft heritage.
The ministers toured the pavilion, interacting with artisans and weavers while highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen the textile value chain. Speaking on the occasion, Giriraj Singh highlighted India’s focus on technical textiles, a sector comprising 12 specialized verticals that are set to become the backbone of the nation’s economy. He revealed that the government has allocated Rs 1,500 crores for R&D in this sector to amplify exports and strengthen India’s global standing in technical textiles.
Singh also underscored the importance of sustainability in the handloom industry, which he called a "zero-carbon and zero-water footprint sector." With the largest handloom community globally, India is aligning its craft heritage with the growing demand for eco-friendly products, offering income opportunities for millions of weavers and artisans.
Pabitra Margherita echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to adapt India’s rich craft heritage to modern markets. He highlighted that strengthening handloom and handicrafts would not only preserve cultural identity but also enhance production and earnings for local communities.
The event features an array of handcrafted products from across India, such as Banarasi sarees, Madhubani paintings, tribal jewelry, Kutch Bandhani, and Phulkari embroidery, among others. These unique items showcase India’s diverse traditions and appeal to global markets with their exquisite designs and traditional motifs.
The exhibition, hosted by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms and Handicrafts, aims to connect artisans directly with consumers, boosting market access and income. In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the artisans' contributions, urging citizens to support local crafts with the hashtag #MyProductMyPride on social media.
Located at Hall 05 in Bharat Mandapam, the exhibition runs from November 14 to 27, 2024, offering visitors an opportunity to explore India’s rich heritage and support sustainable, handcrafted products.
