Bhubaneswar, August 7: Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday graced the State-level 12th National Handloom Day organised by the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar and launched several key projects to boost innovation, sustainability and market-led growth in the sector.

Cooperation & Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, department Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar; senior Government officials, master weavers, designers, awardees, representatives of weaver cooperative societies, institutions, industry partners, entrepreneurs and other distinguished guests from the handloom and textile sector.

On this occasion, the Governor virtually laid the foundation stone virtually for several key projects, including the Kastaa Handloom Bhavan at Jagatsinghpur; Tasar Silk Park Phase-1 & Tasar Facility Center (OMBADC) at Sukinda in Jajapur district; AI based Handloom and Apparel Park at Abhimanpur in Kataka district; Resham Odisha showrooms at Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Raghurajpur in Puri district.

Foundation stone for seven mini garmenting units at Jajapur, Subarnpur, Boudh, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Kalahandi of leading Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies (PWCS) and three sales centres at Jajapur, Kalahandi & Kataka of lead Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies (PWCS) were also laid virtually.

On the occasion, the Fabric Calendaring Unit at Routpada of Khordha district was also inaugurated, marking another important step towards improving finishing facilities and value addition for handloom products. These initiatives are expected to strengthen infrastructure, enhance production capabilities and provide greater support to weavers and textile stakeholders across the State.

Similarly, a significant highlight of the event was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with Amazon Karigar, Grasim India Ltd. and Zuby’s Designer Studio on sustainable fashion. The collaboration aims to promote eco-conscious design, responsible textile practices and wider visibility for Odisha’s handloom traditions in contemporary fashion markets.

Addressing the gathering, Governor appreciated the contribution of Odisha’s weavers in preserving the cultural identity of the State.

He emphasised that handloom is not merely a fabric, but a symbol of heritage, dignity, skill and self-reliance.

Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta highlighted the State Government’s continued efforts for the welfare of weavers through infrastructure development, market promotion, design intervention, skill upgradation and social security measures.

The Minister called upon everyone to support handloom products and contribute to the livelihood of weaving communities.

The event also witnessed the distribution of the State Handloom Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Surendra Meher, a weaver from Barpali, Baragada along with State-level awards to 6 eminent weavers and Tantakruti awards to four weavers for their outstanding contribution to the handloom sector across Odisha.

The awardees were felicitated for their excellence in craftsmanship, dedication to traditional weaving practices and role in carrying forward Odisha’s handloom heritage.