National Handloom Day Celebrated at Pangong's Lukung, Tiranga Yatra Showcases Ladakh's Swadeshi Spirit
LEH, Aug 7: National Handloom Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour at Lukung village in Changthang on Friday, where the District Administration Changthang, in collaboration with the Department of Handlooms and Handicrafts, Leh, organised a series of events highlighting the region's rich handloom heritage and commitment to indigenous craftsmanship.
Held on the banks of the iconic Pangong Lake at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the programme commemorated the historic Swadeshi Movement of 1905 and underscored the importance of promoting handloom traditions, self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Deputy Commissioner Changthang, Nitish Rajora (IAS), who attended the function as the chief guest, emphasised the need to preserve Ladakh's traditional handloom heritage while encouraging artisans to adopt innovation to enhance the quality and marketability of their products. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Handlooms and Handicrafts, Leh, and the Sub-Divisional Administration, Changthang, for organising the event and supporting the welfare and empowerment of local weavers and artisans.
As part of the celebrations, Amber Charkhas and Fly Shuttle Looms were distributed among local weavers under various departmental initiatives aimed at strengthening the handloom sector and improving productivity.
The programme began with a welcome address by the Assistant Director, Handlooms and Handicrafts, Leh, who outlined the significance of National Handloom Day and highlighted the department's initiatives for promoting traditional crafts, skill development and artisan welfare.
A Tiranga Yatra emerged as the centrepiece of the celebrations, with local artisans and handloom weavers carrying a hand-knitted National Flag prepared by women weavers of the region. The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, government officials, artisans and local residents, reflecting the spirit of patriotism, unity and pride in India's handloom legacy.
The event also marked the launch of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign in Changthang, initiating week-long activities from August 7 to promote the ideals of the Swadeshi Movement and encourage support for indigenous products and local artisans.
A cleanliness drive around the Pangong Lake was organised under the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, with officials, students, artisans and residents participating to promote environmental conservation, cleanliness and responsible tourism.
The celebrations concluded with a vote of thanks, reaffirming the commitment to the ideals of 'Vocal for Local', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Swadeshi Se Samriddhi', while showcasing Ladakh's handloom traditions as an important source of livelihood and cultural identity. ANB
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