Bhubaneswar: The state government on Thursday declared Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit as the brand ambassador of Odisha Handlooms for one year.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Exhibition-cum-Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage (EKTA) event organised on the occasion of National Handloom Day in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that Madhuri Dixit will promote Odisha handlooms and support weavers of the state at national and international levels for a period of one year. “We hope the handloom products of Odisha will find space in the fashion sector in India and abroad with this,” Majhi said.
Describing handloom products as a vital part of Odia Asmita (pride), the CM said Odisha’s handloom sector is not only an integral part of its economy but also a symbol of the glorious tradition. It has been playing a crucial role in propagating the state’s culture and tradition since the ancient days, he said.
Noting that over 1.30 lakh weavers and assistants in all 30 districts of the state are engaged in the handloom sector, Majhi said several weavers’ cooperative societies have been formed in the state to safeguard the interests of people engaged in this sector.
Stressing that his government is taking necessary steps to set up textile parks at Cuttack, Bargarh and other places in the state, the CM said investment intents worth Rs 7,808 crore have been received in the textiles and apparel sector in the recently organized ODISHA TEX-2025 conclave.
