Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 — Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday appealed to the people of Odisha to make handloom a part of their lifestyle and wear handloom products at least once a week to support thousands of weaving families across the state.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 12th State‑Level National Handloom Day Celebration at the IDCO Exhibition Ground here, the Governor urged government officials, public representatives, teachers, professionals and young citizens to lead by example by choosing Odisha handloom products.
“Such a simple personal commitment can become a powerful movement for supporting thousands of our weaving families across the state,” he said.
Highlighting the cultural and economic significance of handloom, Kambhampati said every handwoven fabric carries a story of skill, perseverance, family tradition and human creativity. Unlike machine‑made products, each handloom creation reflects the dedication and personal touch of artisans.
He added that when people purchase a handloom product, they are not simply buying a piece of cloth but supporting a family, sustaining rural employment, empowering women, preserving traditional knowledge and strengthening the local economy.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Governor said National Handloom Day was not merely a celebration of an industry but a tribute to India’s civilisation, culture and the skilled hands that have preserved the country’s weaving heritage for centuries. Observed every year on August 7, the day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, when handwoven textiles became symbols of self‑reliance and national pride.
Speaking about Odisha’s rich handloom heritage, the Governor said the state’s weaving tradition has its roots in the ancient maritime heritage of Kalinga and remains an integral part of its cultural identity. Odisha’s renowned handloom products, including Sambalpuri Bandha, Odisha Ikat, Bomkai, Khandua, Kotpad, Habaspuri, Berhampur Patta and Gopalpur Tussar, have earned global recognition for their distinctive designs and craftsmanship.
Referring to this year’s theme, “A Piece of Handloom in Everyone’s Life”, Kambhampati said handloom should not remain confined to special occasions but should become part of everyday life through clothing, home furnishings and other products. He appreciated initiatives undertaken to strengthen the sector through design innovation, digital marketing, tourism linkages, institutional support and technology‑based product traceability.
Congratulating the recipients of the State Handloom Awards, the Governor said weavers are custodians of an invaluable cultural heritage. He expressed confidence that Odisha’s handloom sector would continue to showcase the state’s identity, creativity and excellence on the global stage.
During the programme, videos on “Kusum – Revival of Lost Fabric” and “Karuna Silk” were screened.
The foundation stones for Kastaa Handloom Bhavan at Jagatsinghpur, Tasar Silk Park Phase‑I and Tasar Facility Centre under OMBADC at Sukinda in Jajpur were laid. At the same time, the Fabric Calendaring Unit at Routpada in Khordha was inaugurated virtually.