Dr Ela Dedhia
Director,
Anveshanam Foundation,
Curator of the Event
National Handloom Day 2026, celebrated on Monday, 10th August, was curated with a vision of fostering collaboration, cooperation, and collective participation among institutions and stakeholders connected with the handloom sector. With an open invitation extended to all institutions, the event brought together passionate supporters, professionals, educators, and students dedicated to promoting handlooms.
The journey towards bringing institutions together was shaped by continuous engagement, communication, and thoughtful follow-up. This consistent pursuit helped motivate seven institutions to come forward as organising partners, creating a platform where they could actively contribute, collaborate, and experience the value of collective participation. Their involvement reflected the spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility towards strengthening the handloom ecosystem.
The celebration was hosted at the Textile Committee and was jointly organised by Anveshanam Foundation and Textile Value Chain. Seven institutions joined as organising partners, enabling active participation from their faculty members, staff, and students. The event witnessed the presence of nearly 100 delegates who shared a common appreciation and commitment towards the handloom tradition.
The programme featured ten insightful paper presentations by speakers who explored various dimensions of handlooms, contributing valuable perspectives and knowledge exchange. The Secretary of the Textile Committee, Shri Kartikeya Dhanda, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and honoured the event with his esteemed presence.
As part of the awareness and outreach initiatives, six institutions showcased their handloom products, highlighting the creativity, craftsmanship, and diversity of the sector. The exhibition provided an opportunity for participants to engage with handloom innovations and understand the importance of preserving and promoting this rich heritage.
Beyond being an academic and professional gathering, National Handloom Day 2026 reflected the deeper values of cooperation, appreciation of traditional knowledge, and collective responsibility. It created a space where diverse institutions and individuals came together with a shared purpose — to celebrate the hands, skills, and stories behind handlooms while encouraging sustainable growth through collaboration.
National Handloom Day 2026 stood as a meaningful platform that demonstrated the power of partnerships in creating awareness, encouraging dialogue, and strengthening the handloom ecosystem.
