'Celebrate handloom day like you marked friendship day': PM's appeal in Insta video

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to celebrate National Handloom Day with the same excitement they showed for Friendship Day, in a heartfelt Instagram video targeting Gen Z. Just as they exchanged friendship bands and cherished their bonds, the PM called for unity in honoring India's rich handloom tradition.

He urged citizens to purchase and wear handloom products, explaining that every buy supports the livelihoods of thousands of weavers and preserves the centuries-old cultural heritage. Modi emphasized that, like Friendship Day, Handloom Day should be an integral part of daily life, not merely a symbolic event. Each handloom product embodies the hard work, skill, and dedication of an artisan.

He also highlighted the importance of India's weaving community in maintaining traditional crafts across generations, stating that choosing handloom items is not just about fashion, but also about supporting local artisans and promoting the "Vocal for Local" spirit. This appeal precedes National Handloom Day, celebrated on August 7 to honor the Swadeshi Movement and acknowledge the contribution of the handloom sector to India's cultural and economic fabric.

The Centre has been observing the day since 2015 through initiatives promoting indigenous textiles and encouraging support for local weavers. The Instagram video is part of a series of direct-to-camera messages the Prime Minister has posted on social media, which have garnered significant public attention lately.