Bhubaneswar: The two-day National Conference on Handlooms & Handicrafts 2025 came to a close in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with a renewed commitment to reimagining India’s handmade sector as a vital pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The conference, organised by the Ministry of Textiles, brought together senior officials, policymakers, and sector experts to chart a unified vision for the growth of India’s handloom and handicraft industries.
The conference deliberated on assessing the current landscape of the handmade economy and shaping a national scheme for deeper state participation, integrated governance, and sustainable sectoral development. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, emphasised the need to balance traditional craftsmanship with modern tools to enhance productivity and reduce drudgery. She also urged institutions like NIFT and IIHT to forecast design and colour trends ahead of market cycles.
Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner (Odisha), highlighted the cultural and ecological value of handlooms, citing sustainable examples like Kotpad and Dongria Shawls. She called for greater recognition of artisans and announced plans for a Sustainability Cell and promotion of eco-textiles.
The conference also presented the blueprint for the National Traditional Textile Mission (2026-31), emphasising cooperative federalism, skill upgradation, women-led development, and innovation hubs for GI-linked branding. The conference concluded with a shared national commitment to create a cohesive, inclusive, and innovation-driven ecosystem for artisans and weavers, balancing tradition with technology and aligning with the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.
