National Handloom Day Special: Distinctive Ideas to Inspire Your Entrepreneurial Journey
Every year, National Handloom Day is observed on 7th August to honour the significant contributions of India’s handloom industry and handloom weavers. The ultimate objective of this day is to boost the revenue of Indian weavers. The handloom industry has been part of India’s rich cultural heritage. It holds unprecedented beauty and craftsmanship that create its unique identity.
In 2015, National Handloom Day was celebrated for the first time to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Swadeshi Movement, which started in 1905. The movement was focused on encouraging people to boycott foreign products and adopt local goods. The Indian government chose the same day when the movement began. During the fight for independence, the Indian handloom industry was at the forefront. Mahatma Gandhi began the Swadeshi movement and introduced hand spinning. It was a turning point for the handloom industry, and Oele is shown wearing khadi.
Even after independence, the Indian government strives to revive the handloom industry. Currently, 2.41 million people are working in the industry. More than nine out of ten of the world’s handwoven textiles are crafted in India. Hence, it is highly profitable to start a handloom business in India.
There are a wide range of Indian handlooms available on the market. They are diversified by their weaving techniques, use of imagery and symbols, and also by their amazing colours. From Assam’s Muga Silk to Gujarat’s Bandhani to Goa’s Kunbi, you have tonnes of Indian handlooms to choose from.
Distinctive Business Ideas in Handloom
Below is a list of a few business ideas in handloom that not only help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals but also empower the Indian handloom industry.
E-commerce platforms
The emergence of e-commerce platforms has given a great boost to different industries. You can think of establishing an online marketplace specifically for handloom products and selling them worldwide. Either you can set up your in-house production and do a contract with the local waivers.
Add innovation to traditional design
Another business idea in handloom is to add innovation to the existing handloom designs and make them market-relevant. You can collaborate with traditional artisans and designers and work together to create contemporary and new designs without losing the traditional techniques.
Provide training and skills enhancement programmes
When looking for business ideas in handloom, organising training and skills enhancement programmes for handloom artisans is great. You can work with experienced designers and artisans and establish a professional training institute. Besides newcomers, you can also empower experienced artists to adapt to changing market dynamics while retaining their traditional cultural heritage.
Besides these business ideas, you can think of starting an export business for handloom products to global markets. The government of India has already implemented several programmes to support small-scale industries, mainly handloom, like the Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), and the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). Embrace the entrepreneurial opportunities to embark on a successful journey while supporting local weavers and artisans.
