Gujarat CM inaugurates Handicraft Exhibition organised by NIFT Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], August 7 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Handicraft Exhibition organised by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

“Handloom is a symbol of India’s unique rural art and culture. Handlooms are an integral part of the country’s rural economy. Happy National Handloom Day to all artisans who weave beautiful fabrics through handloom and craft. Let us all adopt the mantra of Vocal For Local given by Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi and insist on buying local handlooms and handicrafts,” the Gujarat CM posted on X.

The Gujarat CM also inaugurated three renovated departments on the NIFT campus: the Department of Fashion Design, the Department of Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories, and the Department of Master of Design.

The 10th National Handloom Day was celebrated at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Patel.

Industry Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, MLA Ritaben Patel, Gandhinagar Mayor Meera Patel, NIFT Director Prof. Dr. Sameer Sood, Joint Director Prof. Dr. Pranav Vora, and professors and students from various faculties were present on this occasion.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings on the occasion of National Handloom Day and expressed pride over the rich heritage and tradition of handlooms across the country.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “Greetings on National Handloom Day! We take immense pride in the rich heritage and vibrant tradition of handlooms across our nation. We also cherish the efforts of our artisans and reiterate our commitment to be ‘Vocal for Local.'”

Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister, the government started celebrating National Handloom Day, with the first such celebration being held on August 7, 2015. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on August 7, 1905, and encouraged indigenous industries, particularly handloom weavers.

National Handloom Day seeks to honour handloom weavers and provide motivation and a sense of pride to the handloom industry, by appreciating their contribution to the cultural, traditional, and economic landscape of the country.

The celebrations aim to generate awareness about the importance of the handloom sector and its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.