Bengaluru, Aug 7 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Friday celebrated National Handloom Day at its state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, where party leaders felicitated professional weavers and highlighted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government’s initiatives aimed at empowering the weaving community.
Addressing the gathering, BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said the Centre has strengthened the economic condition of weavers through several welfare schemes and assured that the BJP, if voted back to power in Karnataka, would introduce more programmes for the handloom sector.
Speaking at the event, Vijayendra said the Congress government in Karnataka would not return to power despite its claims and expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the state.
“The BJP will definitely return to power. Our government will formulate several schemes for the welfare of weavers and ensure better support for the handloom sector,” he said.
Vijayendra said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has introduced several initiatives to strengthen the handloom and textile sectors by improving skills, expanding markets and creating employment opportunities.
He cited the PM MITRA Parks scheme as one of the Centre’s major initiatives for the textile industry.
He said handloom weaving is not merely a profession but an art form that deserves preservation and promotion. According to him, the Centre recognised the contribution of weavers by declaring National Handloom Day and has consistently worked to protect traditional skills.
Recalling the BJP government’s tenure in Karnataka under former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Vijayendra said several measures were taken for the welfare of the weaving community. He alleged that the present Congress government in the state had failed to extend meaningful support to handloom workers.
Referring to his visits to North Karnataka, Vijayendra said he had personally witnessed the hardships faced by weaving families. He added that Yediyurappa had often described farmers and weavers as the “two eyes” of society and had introduced welfare programmes for both communities.
Highlighting the employment potential of traditional occupations, Vijayendra said governments should not focus only on engineering, medical or IT jobs. He noted that in a country with a large population, traditional sectors such as handloom can generate significant rural employment if provided with adequate policy support.
He said weavers have been demanding easier access to bank loans, electricity subsidies and better market opportunities. If weaving becomes financially rewarding, future generations would continue the profession, he added.
Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to hoist the national flag at every home ahead of Independence Day, Vijayendra said the campaign would generate employment as millions of flags would be required.
He also credited the Prime Minister for promoting khadi, which he said has witnessed substantial business growth.
Vijayendra further said the vision of a developed India cannot be achieved through urban development alone and stressed that villages must also progress.
He highlighted various Central government initiatives, including the construction of over 11 crore toilets, LPG connections to more than 12 crore households, Mudra loans to over 15 crore beneficiaries, and programmes such as Make in India and Skill India.
Several BJP leaders, including MLA Shailendra Beldale, MLC Keshav Prasad, former MLA M.D. Lakshminarayan, BJP state cells coordinator S. Dattatri, state weavers’ cell convenor B.S. Somashekhar, and other party office-bearers attended the program.
–IANS
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