Guwahati, 07 August (HS): The BJP Assam Pradesh Mahila Morcha celebrated National Handloom Day with a series of programmes at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Basistha, Guwahati, highlighting the importance of Assam's rich handloom heritage and recognising the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the sector.

The day-long celebration featured a handloom exhibition showcasing Assam's traditional textiles through 15 stalls set up by local artisans. The exhibition was inaugurated by former Guwahati MP and senior BJP leader Queen Oja. During the programme, four women entrepreneurs—Dr. Alakananda Das, Madhu Jain, Bhawna Priya Kalita and Kalyani Tamuli—were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the handloom and textile industry in the presence of Assam Cabinet Minister Nilima Devi.

Addressing the gathering, Nilima Devi said the handloom industry is not merely an economic activity but an inseparable part of Assam's culture, heritage and identity. She said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has taken several initiatives to protect the interests of weavers, preserve the state's textile traditions and strengthen market linkages for handloom products. She also noted that Assamese textiles such as the Gamosa and Mekhela Chador have gained recognition across the country and abroad.

In a statement, BJP Assam Pradesh Mahila Morcha Media Department Co-Convenor Asha Deka said National Handloom Day pays tribute to India's centuries-old weaving tradition and the millions of artisans associated with the sector. She said over 3.52 million weavers, artisans and workers are engaged in the handloom industry nationwide, with women constituting more than 72% of the workforce.

Deka added that the Central Government has provided significant support to the sector through initiatives such as the India Handloom Brand, Handloom Mark, GI tagging, improved design infrastructure, digital platforms and enhanced access to global markets, helping traditional handloom products gain greater visibility both in India and internationally.

The programme was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including former MP Queen Oja, BJP State Vice Presidents Dr. Amiya Kumar Bhuyan, Manoj Baruah and Ratna Singh, Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania, Deputy Mayor Smita Roy, Chief Spokesperson Kishore Upadhyay, Spokesperson Ranjeev Kumar Sharma and other party functionaries.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash