Handloom -The Woven Story: Contrary to perception, its future is bright

Unknown to many, one of the biggest differentiators of India is its handloom industry. Among the largest in the world (90 per cent of the world’s handlooms come from India), this industry employs close to 10 million artisans in India and is considered the second largest income generating activity after agriculture in rural India.

India has close to 2.3 million handlooms with major centers in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, North-East States.

What is positive about this sector is its global business potential, social and climatic impact, quality and uniqueness. Contrary to what people say, handloom is not a dying industry; it is, in fact, one of the most promising industries and is going through a lot of transformation right now.

What are the advantages?

The six biggest benefits of Handlooms are:

Large premium design choices: Handloom enables more varieties of design to be spun out. This enables a consumer to literally own an apparel that is unique in the world and made only for him or her.

For example, you can get your own hand-woven custom-made Paithani saree from Yeola, Maharashtra. Jamdaani saree from Murshidabad, West Bengal of 450+ thread count. This is something no powerloom can give. Handloom is a designer’s paradise. It just needs the right design interventions and young generation taking interest into natural and handmade products. It is a myth that only typical Indian attire and outfits can be made from handloom, thus breaking the myth now most senior and veteran designers prefer to choose the handloom woven fabric instead of mill made fabric.

High Return on Investment: The return on investment (ROI) on handloom is handsome. The cost of handloom can vary and a weaver can produce at least ₹30,000–50,000 worth fabric in a month. The cost of material is usually 10–15 per cent; this gives a handsome ROI in only about two to three months. Very few asset investments give that kind of ROI.

Employment generator: In a country like India where young people are looking for employment with high income, the handloom sector provides a golden opportunity to earn handsomely. It can enable reverse migration possibilities, from urban to rural, and reduce stress on urban infrastructure. It employs 10 million artisans already and can employ more.

It is possible that sometime in the future, a degree from IIHT (Indian Institute of Handloom Technology) may be more valuable than a degree from IIT.

Green-Technology: Handloom is well suited to rural India where there are power problems as it does not depend on electricity. It is a fine example of Green-Technology.

Women’s role in cottage Industry: This is an industry which employs 83 per cent women. There are not many industry or corporate or government institutions that have such an inclination towards employing women. Those working in the handloom industry rejoice in the activity. It is a hidden treasure of India and does not need charity. In fact, it is possible to mine gold here. As part of cottage & village based industry practice, it is the only potential industry -which promotes the Gender Equality & Parity Practices at work.

Social Impact: Handloom has the capacity to engage more the 20 million people at a time and lead the global textile market and same time provide direct scope for social impact through various way and means for total grassroot transformation; which other industry practice has lesser opportunity as such.

When whole world is aligning itself with mandate of Sustainable fashion and in wake of upcoming force for UN charter on fashion, global campaign for knowing origin and fashion revolution as part of collectively achieving the SDGsAction, India has been practicing it from so long but more emphasize and mandate driven practice can make India lead the Mission and the time of handlooms has come. Let Digital India disrupt this Make in India heritage and Let’s together we again sing a song & celebrate the true spirit of India.

Credits: Writer & editor for this story is a Global Shaper at world economic forum and social entrepreneur working with weavers and artisans.