National Handloom Day: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Buys Handwoven Products at Utkalika

Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of National Handloom Day, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi visited the Utkalika Handloom store in Bhubaneswar on Friday and purchased a range of handwoven textile products, promoting India’s rich handloom heritage and the use of digital payments.

The Minister completed the purchase using UPI and later shared the experience on his X account, describing India’s handloom sector as a reflection of the country’s tradition, craftsmanship and the dedication of thousands of artisans.

In his post, Joshi said he chose to support local weavers by buying handloom products from Utkalika, the Odisha government’s cooperative outlet, while also highlighting how UPI has become an integral part of everyday transactions. He encouraged citizens to strengthen the Vocal for Local movement by supporting indigenous products and embracing digital payment systems.

Operated by the Odisha State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society, Utkalika offers a wide collection of authentic handwoven sarees, dress materials and fabrics crafted by skilled weavers from different parts of Odisha. The initiative continues to provide a platform for promoting the state’s traditional weaving heritage and supporting artisan livelihoods.