Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Friday emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to promote innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth within handloom and handicraft artisan communities. Ahuja made these remarks during the opening session of a two-day National Conference on Handlooms and Handicrafts, organized by the Union Ministry of Textiles. He underscored India’s rich textile heritage and called for enhancing the global presence of India’s handmade sector, focusing on essential strategies such as improving supply chain efficiency, utilizing online marketing platforms, and building stronger international connections.
During the inaugural session, Veena Kumari Meena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), and Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) from the Ministry of Textiles, highlighted India’s goal to reinforce its traditional craft sectors, improve artisan livelihoods, and establish Indian handlooms and handicrafts as global representatives of sustainability and inclusive development. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department of Odisha, stated that the state government is dedicated to empowering weavers and artisans through initiatives that integrate tradition with technology. The two-day event aims to uplift artisans, enhance India’s craft economy, and fortify the handloom and handicraft sectors through knowledge sharing, innovation, market linkages, and collaboration among states.
