SHRADDHA NGO Leads with innovation in handloom sector

Bhubaneswar (28/10/2025): The annual general body meeting of the SHRADDHA non-government organisation, dedicated to promoting handloom and increasing the earning of the handloom weavers was held in hybrid mode on 26th October 2025 in the Mahanadi Hall of Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), Bhubaneswar. Initiating the discussion, Dr Sanjay Kumar Panda, Founder and President of the organisation, briefly touched up the activities of the organization during the 2024-25.

He referred to a new paradigm, advocated for addressing the core issue of increasing the income the weavers, which encompasses promoting handloom as a niche (Khas - extraordinary) product based on its inherent strengths and not as an alternative to power loom weaves, generating awareness among the masses about the fascinating, high skill, labor intensive aspects of weaving on handlooms and targeting those and making the weavers aware of the changing market conditions and persuading them to weave with quality, free of any defect, with new designs, new color and new products.

The importance of handholding with time & patience to contact the customers on mobile phone, knowing their taste, and supporting weavers with extraordinary skills with supply of quality raw materials at a reasonable price was discussed.

Other relevant steps such as collaborating with the Weaver Service Center for technical support and collaborating with the state government for supporting rural women from traditional handloom background under ongoing livelihood programs like “Mission Shakti” for tapping the potential of handloom for sustainable development were also highlighted.

He mentioned that this paradigm was put in to test with a group of women weavers in the Maland Village of Jagasinghpur district under a project funded by the Haridaspur Paradip Railway Construction Project Limited.

With physical demonstration of fabrics woven by the semi-skilled weavers, he explained that the weavers were made aware and supported by taking up weaving saree in pastel colour with less design, blouse piece & matching border and dress material in addition to saree.

He mentioned about the great opportunity available for empowerment of women and promoting the tradition and “Odia Asmita”.

Dr Panda mentioned that these small steps have brought cheers to the rural women and empowered them in the real sense, on the lines of the story of the squirrels of the “Ramayan” doing small yet meaningful things for a good cause, which has been the source of inspiration for SHRADDHA. Surendra Kumar Patra, Vice President touched upon the technical aspects of weaving defect free fabrics, product diversification and dyeing with new colour.

Banisdhar Mohapatra Secretary mentioned about tree plantation, support for health and education of women and children in the Angawadi Centres located in the weaver dominated areas by the society.

Dr Jagadanada, noted social worker, thinker and former Information Commissioner underlined the importance of handloom in the development of the rural economy and empowerment of rural women in particular.

Esteemed members of the society, namely Maj Gen(Retd) Atanu K Pattanaik, Binayak Swain (IRTS Retd), Gurudas Bramha(IRTS Retd), (Prof) Satyakam Mishra, Kshirod Chandra Mohapatra, Padmanava Panda, (OAS Senior Retd.), Raja Parija (OAS Senior Retd), Preetam Kumar Singh, Bijay Kumar Nandi (weaver from Maland) , Dr Sushanta Kumar Das(nutritionist), Syama Charan Padhy, (Advisor) and Suvendu Tripathy, (Joint Secretary) participated in the discussion and gave their valuable suggestions. In addition to them, Dr Upendra Tripathy (IAS Retd), Rajeev Mishra (IFS Retd), Sunil Misra (IRS Retd), Bibekananda Mishra, Hemanta K Pratihari, Dr Moncy Issac, Dr Siti Kantha Sarangi, Ravish Tandon, Aditya Panda participated in the discussion from outside the state and country on the digital mode. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Suvra Sivani Mohapatra, treasurer reiterating commitment for continuing the activities with renewed zeal and enthusiasm.