On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 124th episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, said that India’s rapidly growing textile industry is not only reviving traditional weaves but also creating thousands of entrepreneurial opportunities, especially for rural women and youth. He noted that over 3,000 textile start-ups are currently active in the country, calling it a powerful example of India’s cultural and economic resurgence.
Linking the sector’s growth with the ongoing Viksit Bharat mission, PM Modi said that the textile industry is playing a key role in building a self-reliant India. “The path to a developed India in 2047 passes through self-reliance. The biggest foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat is ‘Vocal for Local’. Buy and sell only those things that are made in India, in which an Indian has shed sweat,” he said.
He recalled that August 7 this year will mark 10 years of National Handloom Day, which is observed to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement that began on the same date in 1905. “Just as Khadi became a symbol of self-reliance during the freedom struggle, handloom today is becoming the strength of the new India,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi also shared several success stories from the handloom sector. He spoke of Kavita Dhawale from Paithan village in Maharashtra, who began her journey in a small room and now earns three times more by making and selling Paithani sarees with government support.
In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, more than 650 tribal women have revived the traditional Santhali saree, achieving economic independence and social identity. Another example came from Nalanda, Bihar, where the family of Naveen Kumar, associated with weaving for generations, has adopted modern techniques. His children are now studying handloom technology and working with leading textile brands.
“The textile sector is not just a business, it is a celebration of India's diversity,” he said, crediting village women, urban designers, and young start-up founders for the industry’s success.
Prime Minister also touched upon recent developments in wildlife conservation and space exploration. He noted that for the first time, a census of grassland birds was conducted in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park using AI and sound recording devices, identifying 40 species.
He also lauded astronaut Sudhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station, calling it a proud moment for India’s scientific community.
