173/2024-2025

Aizawl, the 8th August, 2024: NABARD, Mizoram Regional Office celebrated National Handloom Day on yesterday at the roadside market venue of Vanapa Hall in Aizawl. Ms. Pankaja Borah, General Manager/Officer-in-Charge (GM/OiC) NABARD, Prof. Rama Ramaswamy from Mizoram University, other officials from NABARD and representatives from Angel Business Promoter of Mizoram graced the event.

To commemorate National Handloom Day, NABARD sponsored 14 stalls for various weaver societies across the state. Angel Business Promoter of Mizoram (ABPM), a channel/NGO partner of NABARD was engaged to mobilize and coordinate the celebration.

Ms. Pankaja Borah, GM/OiC NABARD, formally inaugurated the event. While speaking on the occasion, she elaborated on the genesis and significance of National Handloom Day, celebrated annually on 7th August. She appreciated the weavers and artisans and highlighted various schemes available from NABARD for the promotion of handlooms and handicrafts. These include skill training and capacity building for weavers, GI registration of unique weaver products, and onboarding on online digital platforms (ONDC) for wider market access.

Also speaking on the occasion Prof. Rama Ramaswamy from Mizoram University emphasized the critical role played by the handloom sector. She highlighted that it is the largest economic activity after agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to more than 30 lakh weavers.

The event successfully displayed the rich tradition and economic importance of the handloom sector in Mizoram, reaffirming NABARD's commitment to supporting and promoting the industry.