- HandMade in India initiative by EDII and HSBC drives preservation, propagation, and global positioning of India’s sustainable handloom legacy
- ‘Threads of Heritage’ fashion show spotlights Bhuj and Erode weavers, blending tradition with contemporary sustainable fashion excellence
- Industry roundtable charts roadmap for quality assurance, branding, and market access to secure artisan livelihoods and strengthen value chains
- National Award–winning weaver honoured as artisans, designers, and institutions unite to elevate HandMade in India (HMI) products
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 20
In a powerful celebration of India’s timeless textile legacy and sustainable future, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, with support from HSBC, hosted a landmark handloom showcase and industry roundtable under the HandMade in India (HMI) initiative, in collaboration with WeaverNIQUE. The event brought together chief guests, policymakers, industry leaders, institutional representatives, designers, and artisan communities—including master weavers from Bhuj (Gujarat) and Erode (Tamil Nadu)—to preserve, promote, and propel India’s sustainable handloom sector.
A major highlight was the felicitation of a National Award–winning master weaver, recognising excellence in craftsmanship and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to honouring the custodians of India’s textile heritage.
Industry Roundtable: Strengthening Quality, Brand India, and Artisan Prosperity
A key pillar of the programme was the Industry Round Table Meet on ‘Quality Assurance and Brand Building in India’s Handloom Sector,’ which emerged as a strategic platform for collaboration among stakeholders spanning industry, academia, government, and grassroots enterprises.
The dialogue focused on improving quality benchmarks, strengthening brand identity, enhancing global competitiveness, and creating sustainable value chains to ensure long-term artisan livelihoods and market resilience. Experts emphasised that structured branding, certification, and storytelling around handloom products are essential to position India as a global leader in ethical and sustainable fashion.
‘Threads of Heritage’: Bhuj and Erode Weavers Bring Sustainable Fashion to Life
The curated handloom fashion showcase, ‘Threads of Heritage,’ presented under the HandMade in India initiative in association with WeaverNIQUE, mesmerised audiences by narrating the journey of handloom from traditional roots to contemporary global relevance.
Featuring sustainable collections crafted by weavers from Bhuj and Erode, the show unfolded across two thematic rounds:
- Heritage Hues: Handloom Revival
- Handloom: The Original Sustainable Fashion
The showcase highlighted traditional weaving techniques, natural dyes, eco-friendly fibres, and modern design innovation, demonstrating how handloom continues to evolve as a symbol of sustainability, cultural identity, and responsible fashion.
Leaders Emphasise Economic Power and Cultural Importance of Handloom
Speaking on the occasion, Ashish Tripathi, CEO & Head, HSBC IBU, said:
“HSBC is glad to be associating with EDII on this highly significant project which directly aimed at addressing the unorganised and dispersed nature of the handloom sector, so that its inherent strengths could be honed and tapped to attain unparalleled growth. Hearteningly, the artisans have learnt best practices and the ways of turning their businesses into profit-making, growth-oriented enterprises. This sector also makes a great contribution to the GDP of the nation and job-provider.”
Highlighting EDII’s long-term commitment, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, said: “We are committed to strengthening artisan livelihoods with entrepreneurship development practices. Through the HandMade in India project, we are working with handloom communities across India to strengthen their skills, sustainability practices and market opportunities. Today’s Fashion show will reflect the outcomes of this effort, bringing out how traditional handlooms can adapt to modern lifestyles while continuing to support sustainable livelihoods. It’s time that the remarkable craftsmanship of our artisan clusters from Bhuj and Erode caught the attention of the people at large.”
Underscoring the deeper significance of handloom, Dr. Raman Gujral, Project Director, HandMade in India & Director, Dept. of CSR Partnerships, EDII, said: “India’s handloom is not just about textiles — it represents our heritage, our identity, and the livelihoods of millions of artisan families. At the same time, we know that today’s markets are changing rapidly, and expectations around quality, consistency, and branding are higher than ever before. The project Handmade in India addressed these factors and bridged the gap between the markets, products and the artisans.”
Why Patronising HandMade in India Products Matters
The HandMade in India (HMI) initiative represents more than fashion—it is a movement to sustain livelihoods, preserve centuries-old knowledge, and promote environmentally responsible consumption.
Handloom products offer critical advantages:
- Sustainability: Produced using low-carbon, eco-friendly processes without heavy industrial machinery
- Livelihood Support: Directly sustains millions of rural artisan families and preserves traditional skills
- Cultural Preservation: Protects unique regional identities such as Bhuj’s intricate weaving and Erode’s renowned textile traditions
- Superior Craftsmanship: Handmade products offer authenticity, durability, and uniqueness unmatched by mass production
- Economic Empowerment: Strengthens grassroots entrepreneurship and promotes inclusive economic growth
By choosing handloom, consumers actively support sustainable fashion, empower artisans, and preserve India’s cultural legacy for future generations.
A Movement to Secure the Future of India’s Handloom Heritage
The event reaffirmed the growing national momentum to elevate handloom as a pillar of sustainable fashion, cultural preservation, and rural economic empowerment. Through initiatives like HandMade in India and collaborations with platforms such as WeaverNIQUE, EDII and its partners are enabling artisan communities to access modern markets while safeguarding their heritage.
Sivaguru, a representative of Nurpu Handlooms from Erode, was all praise for this unique initiative of the EDII and the Centre for promoting these products among the youth. A 10-strong group from Erode cluster was present at this event.
With Bhuj and Erode’s master weavers taking centre stage and national award-winning excellence honoured, the showcase sent a powerful message: India’s handloom legacy is not only enduring—it is evolving to lead the global sustainable fashion movement.
