NEW DELHI: Two handloom weavers from Jammu and Kashmir have been selected for the National Handloom Award 2025 in recognition of their contribution to the traditional weaving sector.
According to the Ministry of Textiles, Manzoor Ahmad Hajam and Fayaz Ahmad Wani of Kanihama, Magam, Budgam, will receive the award for their Chanddar Kani Shawl in the weaving category. The President of India will present the awards during the National Handloom Day celebrations on August 7 in New Delhi.
The Ministry said a total of 22 awardees—including three Sant Kabir Handloom Awardees and 19 National Handloom Awardees—will be honoured this year for their contribution to preserving, promoting and advancing India’s handloom traditions.
The function will be attended by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, senior government officials, representatives of the handloom industry, master weavers, designers, exporters, artisans and other guests.
The National Handloom Award recognises excellence in weaving, innovation, design development, marketing initiatives, start-up ventures and producer companies associated with the handloom sector. Instituted under the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) component of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), the awards are among the highest national honours in the handloom sector.
According to the Ministry, recipients in the weaving category are selected through a multi-level evaluation process involving zonal, headquarters and central-level selection committees comprising technical experts and senior government officials.
The National Handloom Award carries a tamrapatra, shawl and certificate, while the Sant Kabir Handloom Award, the country’s highest recognition for handloom weavers, includes a mounted gold coin, tamrapatra, shawl and certificate.
