Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh led Manipur's National Handloom Day celebrations, honouring weavers, releasing new publications and highlighting the sector's role in culture and livelihoods.
Imphal, August 7: Manipur celebrated the 12th National Handloom Day on Friday with a state-level function recognising the contribution of weavers and artisans while highlighting the importance of preserving the state's rich weaving traditions through innovation, branding and wider market access.
The programme, organised by the Department of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Government of Manipur under the theme "Threads of Tradition: Weaving Culture Through Handloom", was attended by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Additional Chief Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry) Anurag Bajpai, Padma Shri awardees, National Handloom Award recipients, weavers, artisans and other stakeholders.
Governor stresses innovation and market expansion
Addressing the gathering, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said National Handloom Day is an opportunity not only to honour the dedication of Manipur's weavers but also to renew the commitment to preserving and promoting the state's handloom heritage for future generations.
He said Manipur's handloom sector represents the state's cultural identity while also offering significant potential for economic growth and employment.
Governor of Manipur graced the State-level celebration of National Handloom Day 2026 in Imphal, reaffirming the commitment to preserving and promoting Manipur's rich handloom heritage while strengthening the sector through innovation, GI awareness, value addition and expanded… pic.twitter.com/WQFkwOCAmV
— LOK BHAVAN MANIPUR (@LokBhavManipur) August 7, 2026
The Governor emphasised the need to strengthen the entire handloom value chain through improved infrastructure, quality certification, branding, digital commerce and enhanced market access. He also called for greater public awareness of Manipur's Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handloom products to protect their authenticity and expand their presence in national and international markets.
Highlighting the sector's social significance, he said continued support for handloom would contribute to women-led development, sustainable livelihoods and the preservation of the state's cultural legacy.
The Governor congratulated Takhellambam Rani Devi of Kakching district, who recently received the National Handloom Award 2026 in the Women's Weaving category for her work on "Shaphee Lanphee in Silk Innaphi." He described the recognition as a proud moment for Manipur and acknowledged the skill, dedication and resilience of the state's weaving community.
CM highlights women's contribution
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said National Handloom Day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement launched in 1905 in protest against the partition of Bengal, which encouraged the use of indigenous products, particularly handwoven textiles.
He also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the annual observance of National Handloom Day on August 7, 2015, in Chennai to recognise and empower India's handloom and handicrafts sectors.
Attended the National Handloom Day 2026 celebration at the City Convention Centre in the august presence of Hon’ble Governor Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji, Hon’ble First Lady Smt. Jyoti Bhalla Ji, the Chief Secretary, and senior officials.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 7, 2026
As we commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, we… pic.twitter.com/7z5zeFGSmS
Sharing his personal memories, the Chief Minister said handloom has traditionally been part of nearly every household in Manipur, with women making a substantial contribution to family incomes through weaving.
He noted that around 95 per cent of handloom producers in the state are women, while the remaining 5 per cent are men, describing women as the backbone of Manipur's handloom economy.
Khemchand Singh also encouraged more men to use handloom products, saying the state's artisans continue to produce innovative textiles that are gaining recognition both within and outside Manipur.
Books released, awards presented
During the programme, Governor Bhalla and other dignitaries released a Data Book on Handloom and a coffee table book titled "Threads of Heritage: Traditional & GI-Tagged Handwoven Stoles of Manipur."
A documentary titled "Threads of Heritage" was also screened.
The event featured the presentation of State Awards for Outstanding Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans for 2025-26, distribution of financial assistance to awardees under relevant government schemes, and felicitation of winners of the Best Cluster Designer Award for Home Furnishing at the National Handloom Designers' Conclave 2026.
The celebration also included an exhibition showcasing a wide range of Manipur's traditional handloom products.
Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior civil and police officials, representatives of cooperative societies, weavers, artisans, academics and stakeholders from the handloom sector attended the event.
