Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Celebrating National Handloom Day 2025, the Odisha Government organized a grand event, ‘EKTA’, at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar. The event witnessed the graceful presence of Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit, who was announced as the Brand Ambassador of Odisha Handloom.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Governor Raghubar Das and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, with Madhuri attending as a special guest. The EKTA initiative aims to highlight Odisha’s handloom heritage and empower the weaver community.
In his address, Chief Minister Majhi said,
“Reviving Odisha’s cultural identity is our responsibility. Handloom is not just our economic backbone—it’s our pride and tradition.”
He further shared that since the inception of National Handloom Day in 2015, India has witnessed:
- ₹1.5 lakh crore worth of Khadi and handloom product sales
- 315% growth in sales
- 400% rise in production
- 81% growth in employment in the handloom sector
Madhuri Dixit, as the face of Odisha Handloom, will now promote the state’s exquisite weaves at national and international platforms for the next one year. The government also announced the establishment of six Textile Parks across the state to boost production and employment.
In a bid to promote Swadeshi culture, the Chief Minister appealed to the citizens of Odisha to:
- Wear Odisha handloom at least once a week
- Support and use more indigenous products
The EKTA initiative is a step towards global recognition of Odisha’s timeless handloom artistry, blending tradition with modern promotion.
