Delhi Govt to hold ‘Vastra Katha’ event to mark Handloom Day

The government will host a mega event titled ‘Vastra Katha’ on August 6 to mark National Handloom Day, Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday.

Organised under the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB), the event aims to celebrate traditional Indian textiles through a fusion of culture, climate consciousness, and youth-led creativity. From curated exhibits of GI-tagged fabrics to a Vedic-themed fashion ramp walk, Vastra Katha is set to spotlight the artistry and sustainability of handloom.

“The Delhi Government is committed to making DKVIB self-sustainable by the end of this year and profitable by 2026,” said Sirsa. “With Rs 50 crore already allocated for skilling and capacity-building, Vastra Katha will offer visibility and livelihood to artisans while reinforcing Delhi’s position as a cultural capital.”

A major attraction will be a 24-stall exhibition featuring rare, GI-tagged textiles such as Monga Silk (Assam), Pochampally & Gadwal (Telangana), Kanchipuram Silk (Tamil Nadu), Patola (Gujarat) and more — each stall representing a unique state or UT’s handloom legacy.

In a novel twist, over 150 students from leading Delhi colleges such as Miranda House, Lady Shri Ram, Hindu College and Pearl Academy will curate the exhibits and walk the ramp wearing handloom outfits, designed in collaboration with top designers, including Rahul Mishra, Sanjay Garg, Rina Dhaka, Surekha Jain and Pernia Qureshi.

“The fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming. On the other hand, handloom is environment-friendly, rooted in nature, made without natural products, and supports rural livelihoods, especially for women. Handloom is more than heritage, it’s climate action with culture,” said the minister, stressing its eco-friendly nature and potential to empower women in rural India.

Sirsa thanked CM Rekha Gupta for her support and credited the inspiration for the event to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.

The government envisions Vastra Katha as an annual flagship event to position Delhi as a leader in artisan welfare, climate-conscious fashion and cultural revival.

Delhi