Giriraj Singh Inaugurates Special Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition At IITF 2025

Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated the Special Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition-cum-Sale at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event was attended by Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, along with senior ministry officials.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Textiles Pavilion, the Minister said that global demand for handcrafted products is steadily rising and the 15-day trade fair will create significant economic opportunities for artisans, contributing to the transformation of their livelihoods. He added that the Ministry is working on a new Hub-and-Export model to help take India’s traditional craftsmanship to international markets.

During a walkthrough of the exhibition, Giriraj Singh interacted with participating weavers and artisans. He emphasized the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen every segment of the handloom and handicraft value chain from raw material support and technology integration to design interventions and wider market access.

He confirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing incomes and livelihood opportunities for craftspeople and positioning India as the world’s largest and most sustainable handcraft ecosystem.

This year’s pavilion is themed Vastra Kala: Bharat ki Virasat, showcasing India’s craft legacy through a cultural and geographical journey across four regions:

• North – Reflection & Ancestral Grace: Featuring motifs of Ganesha, Ram Darbar and the renowned Banarasi weave.
• South – Precision, Devotion & Sculptural Discipline: Highlighting Karnataka and Tamil Nadu’s strengths in wood, silk and metal crafts, along with the symbolism of Natraj.
• East – Memory, Continuity & Handwoven Identity: Showcasing Odisha and Bengal’s weaving traditions rooted in lived experience and heritage.
• West – Radiance, Celebration & Desert Brilliance: Displaying mirror work, lippan art and carved wood from the region’s vibrant craft traditions.

The exhibition is open to the public from 14–27 November 2025, between 10:00 AM and 7:30 PM, at Hall No. 5, Ground Floor, Bharat Mandapam. Featuring 200 stalls representing 29 States and Union Territories and showcasing 53 distinct crafts, the pavilion is managed by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) to facilitate direct market access for artisans.

Live demonstrations including Kani weaving and Sajni embroidery offer visitors a glimpse into India’s rare craft traditions. The pavilion also features the work of distinguished master artisans: 1 Padma Shri awardee, 4 Sant Kabir awardees, 4 National Awardees, 5 State Awardees and 1 NMC Awardee from handloom, along with 5 State Awardees from handicrafts, underscoring the rich artistic excellence of India’s textile heritage.