Those beautiful handloom sarees which our mothers and grandmothers wore are getting back in vogue. A benarasi, chanderi or cotton saree will get you more comments over those georgette numbers. And now the newly appointed textile minister Smriti Z Irani has started a trend of sorts.
I support Indian weavers, here’s my #IWearHandloom look – Handwoven Silk from Bihar. Share your look & tag 5 people pic.twitter.com/1NOuueJ0mS
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 1, 2016
She is promoting handloom and making sure the world does it too. Celebs have already jumped on the bandwagon. With the FDCI also promoting it. The handloom industry is among pne of the top employment generators in India after agriculture. More than 43 lakh weavers and allied workers are engaged in it, 78% of them are women.
Fantastic Initiative by @smritiirani Ji.Pledge to #IWearHandloom🇮🇳 #Indian #Weavers are the finest in the world. pic.twitter.com/VCn6TXi26e
— ShainaNC (@ShainaNC) August 2, 2016
Irani also said, “ #IWearHandloom is a campaign to show support to a community which weaves the diverse fabric of our nation’s rich heritage and bring international fame to our nation. It is a tribute to women who contribute to 15% of cloth production in India and 95% of world handloom production, it is saying thank you for their hardwork and dedication for keeping our traditions alive.
I support Indian weavers, here’s my #IWearHandloom look – Handwoven silk from Bihar. To show your support, upload a photo wearing handloom with #IWearHandloom & tag atleast 5 friends to upload his/her photo as well.”
Much like swatch Bharat she wants to involve the common man and make this campaign a huge hit on social media. Bollywood celebs, Indian designers like Manish Malhotra are all jumping on the bandwagon and seem ecstatic about the same. Handloom indrusty currently faces threat from the inflation and cheap china export materials.
