Bhubaneswar: Two handloom weavers from Odisha are set to be honoured by President Droupadi Murmu during the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday in recognition of their outstanding achievement in weaving and innovation.
Ram Meher from Baragada has been selected for the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Award 2025, the country’s highest honour for handloom weavers.
Similarly, Prafulla Kumar Sahoo from Jagatsinghpur has been selected for the National Handloom Award 2025, official sources said on Thursday.
They have been selected through a rigorous multi-level evaluation process involving expert committees to ensure transparency, objectivity and recognition of excellence across all segments of the handloom sector.
Notably, the Ministry of Textiles is slated to celebrate the 12th National Handloom Day on August 7 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving, promoting and strengthening India’s rich handloom heritage while recognising the invaluable contribution of the country’s handloom weaving community to the nation’s cultural and economic development.
President Murmu will grace the celebrations as the chief guest and present the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be the conferment of 22 prestigious awards, comprising 3 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards, recognising outstanding achievements in weaving, innovation, design development, marketing initiatives, start-up ventures and producer companies associated with the handloom sector.
Instituted under the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) component of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), these awards represent the highest national recognition for excellence in India’s handloom ecosystem.
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award, the country’s highest honour for handloom weavers, recognises extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication and sustained contribution towards preserving and promoting India’s weaving traditions.
The National Handloom Award honours handloom weavers and other stakeholders who have demonstrated outstanding creativity, quality, innovation and excellence while preserving traditional skills and embracing modern techniques.
