Guwahati, August 06th, 2025: Ten years since National Handloom Day was first instituted, India’s handloom story is no longer just about heritage – it’s about economic resilience, women’s empowerment, and local innovation. In Assam, where weaving has long been part of the social and cultural fabric, this transformation is being led by the very women who have kept the tradition alive for generations.
In his Mann Ki Baat address on July 27, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the journey of India’s handloom sector – describing it as a symbol of self-reliance, cultural pride, and women-led progress. It’s a vision that finds expression in the grassroots work being carried out in Assam, where weaving has long been more than craft—it’s a way of life.
Echoing the vision of Hon’ble PM, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd, has been working to strengthen Assam’s handloom ecosystem as part of its inclusive development efforts in the region.
Supporting this shift on the ground, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd, has been enabling rural women in Assam to turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods. Through dedicated handloom centres set up in partnership with the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), Cairn is helping unlock new opportunities for women in villages like Borchapori (Golaghat) and Agchamua (Jorhat).
What began as a modest intervention in Borchapori has now grown into a community-led movement. Over 3,000 women are currently engaged through self-help groups, producing traditional gamusas that are purchased by the Government of Assam under the Swanirbhar Naari scheme. The newly operational centre in Agchamua is expected to further strengthen this ecosystem, offering training, infrastructure, and income opportunities to nearly 300 more women.
This initiative reflects Cairn’s broader commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that economic progress is not only sustainable, but deeply rooted in local realities. The handloom centres are not just production units; they are spaces of learning, collaboration, and transformation—where women lead, create, and grow.
As India celebrates a decade of National Handloom Day, Cairn stands in solidarity with the women of Assam who are weaving more than cloth – they are weaving futures filled with dignity, purpose, and pride.