Guwahati, August 7: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated National Handloom Day on 07 August 2025 at Vivanta Hotel, Guwahati, with the theme “Handloom for Reinvigorating the Rural Economy of Assam.” The event brought together key stakeholders to emphasize handloom’s crucial role in driving Assam’s rural economic growth and development.
Shri Dilip Kumar Borah, IAS, Secretary (Finance, and Transformation & Development), Government of Assam, gracing the event as the Chief Guest, praised NABARD CGM Shri Loken Das and his team for empowering weavers and promoting handloom development.
Mentioning present era as the golden era of Assam’s handloom, he highlighted the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s use of the Assamese phulam gamosa on global platforms and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s emphasis on facilitating development and recognition of Assam’s handloom.
Citing the Handloom Census 2019–20, he noted Assam has 12.83 lakh weavers—over 90% women—and 12.54 lakh handlooms. He lauded the Swanirbhar Naari portal, with 5.64 lakh registered weavers and 11 lakh items marketed.
He emphasized government support through raw materials, MSP, developing an Integrated Handloom Park in Kaziranga, and Silk Tourism in Sualkuchi and other areas, for promotion of the sector.
Shri Loken Das, Chief General Manager of NABARD Assam Regional Office, in his introductory remarks, highlighted NABARD’s major contributions to Assam’s handloom sector.
He shared that during the last few years over 8,000 weavers have benefitted from NABARD’s initiatives such as skilling, rural enterprise promotion, marketing infrastructure, and forming Weavers Producer Organisation (OFPO), etc. with grant support of more than ₹528 lakh.
Additional support extended by NABARD are assistance for GI registration of handloom products and authorised user facilitation. Shri Das also indicated that NABARD, in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, is preparing a comprehensive Handloom Roadmap for Assam. This roadmap aims to provide strategic guidance and ensure sustainable, long-term development of the state’s vibrant handloom sector.
In her address, Smt. Sushmita Phukan, Regional Director, RBI, appreciated NABARD’s efforts in handloom development and credit linkage, emphasizing promotion of eco-friendly local weaving. Shri Prabhas Bose, CGM, SBI, highlighted the importance of supporting handloom through SHG financing and convergence with government schemes to strengthen the sector’s growth.
To unite stakeholders and explore challenges and opportunities in handloom weaving, thematic panel discussions were held on “Challenges of Handloom Sector in Assam” and “Prospects of Handloom to Rejuvenate Assam’s Rural Economy.”
As part of the celebrations, NABARD-supported weavers exhibited handloom products, showcasing Assam’s rich textile heritage. A TRIFED stall also featured tribal weaving items, promoting tribal artisanship alongside the broader development of the handloom sector.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from senior State Government officials, banks, handloom stakeholders, and a large number of weavers, reflecting strong support for the sector’s growth.
