The celebration marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s continued commitment towards strengthening India’s handloom ecosystem.
Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, formally inaugurated the Special Handloom Expo and NHDC’s 43rd Foundation Day celebrations at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi, in the presence of Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles), Dr M Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and other senior officials.
The Foundation Day event was organised alongside the Special B2C Handloom Expo 2026, which commenced on February 21 and will continue till March 2, 2026, providing weavers from 21 states with a direct-to-consumer platform to market their products.
Organised by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), the celebration marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s continued commitment towards strengthening India’s handloom ecosystem and promoting sustainable livelihoods for weavers across the country.
On the occasion, a multi-lingual comic book on India’s handloom legacy was also released by the Minister. The publication seeks to create wider awareness among younger audiences by presenting the legacy, processes, and cultural relevance of traditional handloom weaving in an engaging format.
Distinguished weavers and artisans from across the country were felicitated during the event for their exceptional craftsmanship and invaluable contribution towards preserving and promoting India’s traditional weaving practices.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by the Foundation Day cake cutting, marking NHDC’s 43-year journey in supporting the handloom sector through raw material support, marketing assistance, and capacity building initiatives.
An Annual Report presentation highlighted NHDC’s key achievements and initiatives undertaken during the year for the economic empowerment and digital inclusion of the weaving community.
Adding cultural richness to the celebration, the programme featured a poetry recitation and a Paridhan Pradarshini showcasing an elegant display of handloom garments reflecting the diversity and aesthetic excellence embedded in regional weaving traditions.
Addressing the gathering, Singh reiterated the Government’s vision to strengthen domestic manufacturing, expand market access for artisans, and encourage citizens to support Swadeshi textiles.
The Minister also visited exhibition stalls at Handloom Haat and interacted with weavers and exhibitors, appreciating the quality and innovation of handwoven products on display.