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Bhubaneswar: People across Odisha celebrated 'Ama Poshak Ama Parichaya' (Our Attire, Our Identity) Day on Thursday with great enthusiasm as part of the ongoing Odia Pakhya celebrations. Citizens proudly donned traditional handloom attire to showcase the state's rich cultural heritage and identity. The fortnight-long Odia Pakhya, organised by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, is being observed from April 1 to April 14. On the second day of the celebrations, people from all walks of life participated in large numbers, wearing a variety of traditional garments that reflect Odisha's vibrant handloom tradition. Government offices, including the Lok Seva Bhawan, presented a colourful sight as officials turned up in elegant traditional attire to support the initiative. Handloom, a powerful symbol of Odisha's cultural diversity and artistic legacy, remained the focal point of the day's celebrations. According to an official from the organising department, discussion sessions on the theme 'Handloom and Weaving Industry of Odisha' were held across several districts.

Srinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) Exports of handmade products from Kashmir have crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in the first quarter of the current financial year, which is the highest for the period in the last four years, an official said on Saturday. "In a major fillip to Kashmir's famed craft sector, hand-made products worth Rs 309.62 crore have been exported to various overseas destinations in the first quarter of the current financial year -- up from Rs 126.90 crore in the same quarter last year," an official of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, said. The exports are the highest fo ...Read More >

Bhubaneswar, Apr 2 (PTI) People across Odisha on Thursday celebrated 'Ama Poshak Ama Parichaya' (Our Attire, Our Identity) Day as part of the ongoing Odia Pakhya, donning traditional handloom attire to showcase cultural pride. The fortnight-long 'Odia Pakhya' is being observed from April 1 to 14 under the aegis of the state's Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department. On the second day of the celebrations, people across the state participated in large numbers, wearing traditional garments that reflect the state's rich handloom heritage. Government offices, including the Lok Seva Bhaw ...Read More >

New Delhi, Feb 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 'Parishkriti' handloom exhibition is providing weavers and artisans a prestigious platform to directly connect with premium customers and strengthen their market presence, Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) said on Monday. Speaking to IANS, Dr. M. Beena said the idea behind 'Parishkriti' is to bring skilled weavers and handloom professionals from different parts of India to a prominent venue in the national capital. "Hosting the exhibition at a premium location ensures better exposure and higher sales opportunities, while also helping ar ...Read More >
Shimla: Heavy rains lashed Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and flash floods and blocking more than 100 roads, even as the weather department issued a red alert.A landslide at Chakki Mod near Parwanoo blocked the Chandigarh-Shimla highway for hours, resulting in a massive traffic jam Sunday morning. The local administration had to divert traffic through the Jangeshu link road until the landslide debris was cleared at Chakki Mod.The traffic was first restored one-way and later two-way, but the traffic jam continued on both sides of the highway throughout the day due to slow veh ...Read More >

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 16 (ANI): Following the tragic road accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday that claimed eight lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. This would be in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Also Read | Weather Forecast Today, July 16: Check ...Read More >

Gadwal: The Assistant Director of the Handloom and Textile Department, Mr. Govindayya, has announced through a press release that applications are being invited from eligible handloom weavers in the district for enrollment in the Netannala Bharosa Scheme (Weavers' Assurance Scheme). Eligibility Criteria: Only handloom weavers who are actively engaged in their craft on a daily basis and have a Geo-tag Number are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled under the Thrift Fund Scheme (Pothupu Padhakam). The applicant must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants should be capable of producing han ...Read More >
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. T ...Read More >

The country's attraction towards Khadi has increased significantly in the last 11 years, said PM Modi. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 126th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, called on the countrymen to adopt 'Swadeshi' this Gandhi Jayanti and express pride in it. "October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhiji always emphasised the adoption of Swadeshi, and Khadi was the most prominent among them. Unfortunately, after Independence, the charm of Khadi was fading away, but dur ...Read More >
SRINAGAR, India - Mr Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a former carpet weaver in India's Jammu and Kashmir region, now sells tea on the shores of the scenic Dal Lake, abandoning his craft of 35 years after increased US tariffs left him unable to afford his children's school fees and medicine for his family of six. Thousands of Indian artisans and weavers have been battered by US President Donald Trump's move in August to double tariffs to 50 per cent on Indian goods. Mr Bhat, 49, hired a weaver to finish his last carpet before he laid down his tools. "This profession is dying," he told Reuters, days bef ...Read More >

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday (April 3, 2026) wooed textile industry to invest in the State by assuring best infrastructure, land, power, water, incentives and government support aimed at fastest execution of the projects. "I have policies that can match the best globally. Most importantly, we have the best human resources. If you have a vision, we are your perfect partner for global success," he said at the 13th Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON 2026) in Hyderabad. Assert ...Read More >

New Delhi, April 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Odisha Day and lauded the state's "significant role" in the journey of 'Viksit Bharat'. Odisha Day, or Utkal Divas, is celebrated annually on April 1 to commemorate the formation of Odisha as a separate province on April 1, 1936, based on linguistic identity. This day honours Odisha's rich culture, heritage, and the leaders who fought for a separate state. In a post on X, President Murmu said, "Warm greetings to the people of Odisha on Odisha Day! This occasion celeb ...Read More >

Neiphiu Rio (left) during the opening of the new State Emporium Complex in Kohima on Friday Sourced by the Telegraph Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated a seven-storey facility in Kohima to serve as a hub for Naga handloom, handicrafts and cultural promotion. The Nagaland State Emporium Complex includes a dedicated state emporium on the first floor, three floors of shopping areas, a restaurant and library, a fully furnished conference hall and guest accommodations for visiting artisans and officials. At the inauguration, Rio expressed his appreciation for all those inv ...Read More >
New Delhi: Traffic in central Delhi will be affected on Thursday as the traffic police has issued an advisory due to the Janmashtami and Tazia processions.According to police, the traffic movement in Paharganj is likely to be affected from 1.30pm in view of the shobha yatra for Janmashtami and the Tazia procession.The Janmashtami procession will start from Mandir Shri Banke Bihari Ji in Paharganj's Sangatrasan Bazar and pass through Desh Bandhu Gupta Road, Chuna Mandi, Main Bazar, Munja Chowk and Arakashan Road. The Tazia procession will start from Ajmeri Gate and proceed through Pul Paharganj ...Read More >
Lucknow: In a hall packed with audiences, mostly Gen-Z, Khadi walked on the ramp in its modern avatar at Re-Spin: The Khadi Edit, organised as part of UPITS 2025. Models showcased the diversity of Khadi in haute couture style, and each one of them won hearts and several rounds of applause. Some popular ones included chikankari and silk textures in modern dresses, capes, and even office wear. The show conveyed a clear message: Khadi is not just a heritage of the past, but also a strong foundation for the fashion of the future.MSME, khadi and village industries, silk production, textiles, and ha ...Read More >

Odisha, the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic identity, turned 90 on Wednesday as the state celebrated Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) to commemorate its formation on April 1, 1936. President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, lauded the state's invaluable contribution to India's freedom struggle and nation-building. She said this occasion celebrates the state's rich cultural heritage, timeless traditions, and the resilience of its people. What is the history behind the formation o ...Read More >

Hyderabad: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has underlined that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has actively promoted the textile sector through the 'Make in India' programme and is implementing the '5F' strategy: Farm to fibre, fabric, fashion, and foreign markets. In his speech, after inaugurating a week-long festival to celebrate National Handloom Day on Sunday, he observed that the handloom sector had experienced consistent growth over the past 11 years. According to him, this sector currently contributes 2.3% to the country's GDP, with 13% of industrial production and 12% of ...Read More >

VIJAYAWADA: To ensure the financial stability of weavers, the State government will implement the free electricity scheme to provide 200 units of power at a free of cost to handlooms and up to 500 units to powerlooms from Wednesday. Around 93,000 families holding handlooms and another 11,488 families with powerlooms will get benefits under the scheme. The government will spend around Rs 150 crore per year for the implementation of the scheme. Each handloom family is expected to save up to Rs 8,640 per year, while power loom units could benefit by up to Rs 21,600 annually. The government has ...Read More >

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has urged people, including its employees as well as those working in private sector, to wear handloom clothes on April 2 and 3 as part of the 'Odia Pakhya' celebration in the state. Sources said employees have been urged to wear traditional attire to celebrate the 'Ama Posaka Ama Parichaya' initiative by the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department of the state government. A communication in this regard has been sent to all departments and authorities in the districts. "Handloom products are part and parcel of our cultural heritage. The employees of t ...Read More >

Jammu, Mar 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday urged youth to strengthen brotherhood and champion compassion over conflicts worldwide. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 'Jammu Kashmir Cultural Festival', organised by Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust, in Jammu, LG Sinha said, "In this interconnected era, strengthen brotherhood's bond. Champion compassion over conflict worldwide." He said in this defining moment as global strife fractures societies and humanity quests ...Read More >

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Odisha Day and lauded the state's "significant role" in the journey of 'Viksit Bharat'. Odisha Day, or Utkal Divas, is celebrated annually on April 1 to commemorate the formation of Odisha as a separate province on April 1, 1936, based on linguistic identity. This day honours Odisha's rich culture, heritage, and the leaders who fought for a separate state. In a post on X, President Murmu said, "Warm greetings to the people of Odisha on Odisha Day! This occasion celebrates the state's rich cu ...Read More >

SHILLONG, June 29: Eri Silk, the pride of Meghalaya's textile tradition, went global on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted it in his latest 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast, calling it not just a unique product but a living heritage. The recognition follows the recent conferment of Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Meghalaya's Eri Silk. Describing Eri as a "heritage for Meghalaya," the PM, in his 123rd Mann Ki Baat address, lauded the deep-rooted craftsmanship of the state's tribal communities, particularly the Khasis, who have nurtured the art of Eri weaving across generations. Un ...Read More >

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, will roll out a free electricity scheme for weavers across the state from April 1, fulfilling a key pre-election promise of the NDA coalition. Under the scheme, handloom weavers will receive up to 200 units of free electricity per month, while power loom operators will be eligible for up to 500 units. The initiative is expected to cost the exchequer around '150 crore annually and aims to ease the burden of rising input costs, particularly electricity, which is essential for weaving, dyeing and related proc ...Read More >

Vijayawada: In a major relief to the handloom sector, the state government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to implement a free electricity scheme for weavers across the state from Wednesday. The initiative, aimed at ensuring financial stability for lakhs of weaving families, will provide up to 200 units of free power per month for handlooms and 500 units for power looms. The scheme is expected to significantly ease the burden of rising electricity costs, a major expense in weaving activities such as loom operation, dyeing, and processing. As many as 1,04,488 weaver fami ...Read More >

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has appealed to the people of Odisha to wear traditional handloom clothes during the ongoing 'Odia Pakhya' celebration to promote the state's rich cultural heritage and support local weavers. In a post shared on X, CM Majhi highlighted the beauty and significance of Odia handloom attire, describing it as "Handwoven in the loom of tradition" and a symbol of "dignified pride in traditional adornment." He emphasized that traditional Odia fabrics are not just clothing but an inseparable part of the state's glorious history and identity, crafted with ...Read More >

Jaipur, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a significant breakthrough, Rajasthan Police's CID Crime Branch has busted a major coal adulteration racket in Sirohi, exposing a scam worth crores of rupees. The gang was found mixing fake coal dust into high-quality petcoke imported from the US, causing massive financial losses to the cement and steel industries. Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dinesh M.N. revealed that the racket involved a well-organised network operating from a rented, defunct factory behind Tulsi Hotel on the Pindwara-Abu Road National Highway 27. Coal mafias, primaril ...Read More >

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said Odisha has the power to mesmerise everyone and lauded its rich cultural heritage, spiritual depth, and the resilience of its people, while reaffirming the Centre's commitment to the state's development. Modi wrote a four-page letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the occasion of the Utkal Dibasa or the statehood day. He recalled many great sons and daughters of the soil, including Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gang ...Read More >

New Delhi, Aug 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) As part of the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Textiles has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women handloom weavers through various central sector schemes. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita shared that over 14,000 women weavers have been trained under the SAMARTH scheme across the country in the past three financial years (2022-23 to 2024-25). The Ministry is implementing schemes such as the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and the Raw Mater ...Read More >

The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Ltd. (APCO) bagged the SKOCH Award-2025 in recognition of its outstanding digitisation initiatives in the handloom sector. The APCO implemented computerised billing systems and e-commerce platforms, which have significantly contributed to improved operational efficiency and enhanced sales performance. These initiatives have not only streamlined transactions but also expanded market access for handloom products. Commissioner (Handloo ...Read More >

Bhubaneswar: In the cool spring breeze of the French Riviera, on the cobbled streets of Cannes, as the spotlight lit up the Bharat Pavilion at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a quiet, proud moment unfolded for every Odia around the world. The first look of Baghuni (Dance Like a Tiger) -- a pathbreaking Odia film -- was unveiled, etching a historic moment for the language and culture that has so far remained underrepresented in global cinema. But behind this cinematic milestone lies the inspiring journey of Partha Sarathi Panda, a soft-spoken yet determined cultural ambassador, who hails from O ...Read More >

Srinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) Exports of handmade products from Kashmir have crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in the first quarter of the current financial year, which is the highest for the period in the last four years, an official said on Saturday. "In a major fillip to Kashmir's famed craft sector, hand-made products worth Rs 309.62 crore have been exported to various overseas destinations in the first quarter of the current financial year -- up from Rs 126.90 crore in the same quarter last year," an official of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, said. Also Read | Chandan Mishra Mur ...Read More >