Every year on August 7, India comes together to celebrate National Handloom Day. This special day is celebrated to honour the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the country. In addition to honouring the weavers, this day also celebrates the great artistry that has been passed down through generations. In India, millions of people are engaged in handloom weaving. It is a traditional art that plays a significant role in rural India's socioeconomic fabric and protects many communities' cultural heritage.
National Handloom Day 2024: History
National Handloom Day was first celebrated in 2015 to mark the anniversary of the 1905 Swadeshi Movement. It supported homegrown businesses and discouraged the purchase of foreign goods, during India's fight for independence.
As a major player in this movement, the handloom industry represented independence and a sense of national identity. The government hopes to preserve and revitalise the legacy and sense of pride connected to Indian handloom goods by designating a day specifically for handloom.
The MyGov.in website mentions: “The Swadeshi Movement which was launched on 7th August, 1905 had encouraged indigenous industries and in particular handloom weavers. In 2015, the Government of India decided to designate the 7th August every year, as the National Handloom Day. The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated on 7 August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai.”
National Handloom Day 2024: Significance
National Handloom Day aims to:
- Honour handloom weavers: recognise the invaluable contributions of weavers to India's cultural and economic landscape.
- Promote handloom products: Increase awareness about the beauty, quality, and sustainability of handloom textiles.
- Support the handloom industry: Encourage economic growth and development in the sector.
- Preserve traditional craftsmanship: Safeguard the age-old techniques and skills of handloom weaving.
Advancement of AI in the Handloom Industry
This year's National Handloom Day holds even greater significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 112th episode of "Mann Ki Baat," highlighted the work of a Bengaluru-based startup, KOSHA.ai. This innovative company is making waves by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to empower the handloom and sustainable textile sectors.
PM Modi highlighted KOSHA.ai’s approach to authenticating handloom products. Their innovative approach, which is essential for detecting counterfeits, uses a tiny, sensor-activated Internet of Things (IoT) gadget attached to the loom itself. The device differentiates handloom goods from their powerloom equivalents by examining the loom's movements.
Further, KOSHA.ai's technology ensures product authenticity, protecting the livelihoods of traditional weavers. In an industry prone to misrepresentation, this system creates a clear distinction between genuine handcrafted items and imitations, safeguarding the value of authentic handloom products.
The India AI website mentions: “KOSHA.ai has developed a cutting-edge AI method to authenticate handloom products, ensuring their traceability and authenticity. The company's innovative certification system is crucial in differentiating handloom and powerloom products, addressing a significant challenge in the textile industry. This system is powered by a small, sensor-activated Internet of Things (IoT) device attached to the loom. The device monitors and analyzes the loom's movements, allowing it to accurately determine whether a product is made on a handloom or a powerloom.”
Prime Minister Modi's recognition underscores the transformative power of integrating modern technology with traditional industries. KOSHA.ai showcases how AI can be harnessed to preserve cultural heritage, empower artisans, and drive sustainable growth.
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