Guwahati, Assam — : In a vibrant celebration of National Handloom Day, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) marked the occasion in Guwahati, with the powerful theme, “Handloom for Reinvigorating the Rural Economy of Assam.” The event served as a high-profile platform to spotlight the pivotal role of the handloom sector in invigorating the state’s rural economy and to honour the tireless dedication of weavers across Assam.
The ceremony was graced by Assam Finance and Transformation & Development Secretary Dilip Kumar Borah, who, as chief guest, effusively praised NABARD’s sustained efforts in empowering weavers. He proclaimed the present period as the “golden era” for Assam’s handloom industry, an assertion buoyed by global visibility. Borah cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prominent use of the Assamese phulam gamosa on international stages and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s dedicated focus on the sector as key catalysts.
Citing data from the Handloom Census 2019–20, Borah highlighted the staggering scale of the industry, revealing that Assam is home to 12.83 lakh weavers—over 90% of whom are women—and 12.54 lakh handlooms. He specifically lauded the Swanirbhar Naari portal, noting that it has already registered 5.64 lakh weavers and successfully marketed more than 11 lakh products. Borah also outlined a suite of government support measures, including assured raw material supply, minimum support price schemes, the establishment of an Integrated Handloom Park in Kaziranga, and initiatives to boost Silk Tourism in Sualkuchi, a renowned silk weaving hub.
NABARD’s Assam Chief General Manager Loken Das detailed the organisation’s substantial impact, stating that over 8,000 weavers have directly benefited from NABARD’s interventions in recent years. These initiatives span skill enhancement, rural enterprise promotion, marketing infrastructure, and the formation of Weavers Producer Organisations, which have been bolstered by grants exceeding Rs 528 lakh. Furthering their commitment, Das announced a significant collaboration with IIT Roorkee to prepare a comprehensive Handloom Roadmap for Assam, designed to guide the sector toward long-term, sustainable growth.
The event saw collective backing from financial heavyweights, with Reserve Bank of India Regional Director Sushmita Phukan commending NABARD’s work in credit linkage and promoting eco-friendly weaving practices. SBI CGM Prabhas Bose underscored the critical importance of financing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and integrating the handloom sector with broader government schemes.
The day also featured engaging panel discussions on pressing topics such as the “Challenges of the Handloom Sector in Assam” and the “Prospects of Handloom to Rejuvenate Assam’s Rural Economy.” A highlight was the vibrant showcase of handloom and tribal products at stalls operated by NABARD-supported weavers and TRIFED, beautifully underlining the rich and diverse textile heritage of Assam. The collective presence of senior state government officials, bankers, industry stakeholders, and a large contingent of weavers reaffirmed a united front dedicated to the robust growth and strengthening of Assam’s handloom industry.
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