National Handloom Day 2024: PM Modi showed AI Advancement in Handloom and Textiles

Every year on August 7, India celebrates National Handloom Day. This special day is celebrated to honor the country’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Besides honoring the weavers, this day also celebrates the great art that has been passed down from generation to generation. Millions of people in India are engaged in handloom weaving. It is a traditional art that plays an important role in the socio-economic fabric of rural India and preserves the cultural heritage of many communities.

National Handloom Day 2024: History

National Handloom Day was first celebrated in 2015 to commemorate the 1905 Indian Products Movement, which supported local businesses and discouraged the purchase of foreign goods during India’s struggle for independence.

The handloom industry, a major player in this movement, represents independence and national identity. The government hopes to preserve and revive the tradition and pride associated with India’s handloom products by establishing a special day for handlooms.

MyGov.in website states: “The Swadeshi movement launched on August 7, 1905 encouraged the indigenous industry, especially handloom weavers. In 2015, the Government of India decided to observe August 7 of every year as National Handloom Day. The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2015 in Chennai.”

National Handloom Day 2024: Significance

The objectives of National Handloom Day are to:

  • Tribute to Handweavers: To recognise the valuable contribution of weavers to the cultural and economic sphere of India.
  • Promoting Handloom Products: Raising awareness about the beauty, quality and sustainability of handloom textiles.
  • Support the Handloom Industry: Encourage economic growth and development of the industry.
  • Preservation of traditional crafts: Preservation of age-old hand-weaving techniques and skills.

Advances in AI in the Handloom Industry

This year’s National Handloom Day was of special significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the work of a Bengaluru-based startup, KOSHA.ai, in the 112th episode of ‘Voices from the Heart’. The innovative company is making waves by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to empower the handloom and sustainable textile industries.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted KOSHA.ai’s approach to authenticating handloom products. Their innovative approach is crucial in detecting counterfeit products, using a tiny sensor-activated Internet of Things (IoT) device attached to the loom. The device differentiates between handloom and powerloom products by checking the movement of the loom.

Additionally, KOSHA.ai’s technology ensures product authenticity and protects the livelihoods of traditional weavers. In an industry prone to misrepresentation, the system can clearly distinguish between genuine handmade products and imitations, safeguarding the value of authentic handwoven products.

The Indian Artificial Intelligence website mentions: “KOSHA.ai has developed a cutting-edge AI approach to authenticate handloom products, ensuring their traceability and authenticity. The company’s innovative authentication system is essential for differentiating between handloom and powerloom products, addressing a major challenge in the textile industry. The system is driven by a small sensor-activated Internet of Things (IoT) device attached to the loom. The device monitors and analyzes the loom’s movements, enabling it to accurately determine whether a product was made on a handloom or a powerloom.”

Prime Minister Modi’s recognition highlights the transformative power of combining modern technology with traditional industries. KOSHA.ai demonstrates how AI can be used to preserve cultural heritage, empower artisans, and drive sustainable development.

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