{"id":52033,"date":"2025-08-23T19:26:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T13:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=52033"},"modified":"2025-08-26T12:19:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T06:49:18","slug":"chendamangalam-handloom-crisis-onam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-08-2025\/chendamangalam-handloom-crisis-onam","title":{"rendered":"Chendamangalam\u2019s Famed Handloom Industry Battles Crisis Ahead of Onam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With Onam round the corner, customers are insistent on authentic ethnic wear called <strong>Chendamangalam handloom.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chendamangalam Handloom Industry&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cultural Significance:<\/strong> Chendamangalam (Ernakulam, Kerala) is famed for its traditional handloom products, especially in demand during Onam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crisis in the Weaving Sector: <\/strong>Weavers have declined from ~5,000 in the 1980s to ~500 now (spread across 5 cooperative societies).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Causes:<\/strong> Lure of employment guarantee schemes, perception of low wages, and youth disinterest.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Remuneration is viable if adapted to new designs\/market needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"413c34\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chendamangalams-Famed-Handloom.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-52039\" style=\"--dominant-color: #413c34; width:465px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chendamangalams-Famed-Handloom.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chendamangalams-Famed-Handloom-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chendamangalams-Famed-Handloom-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Resilience &amp; Innovation: <\/strong>Chendamangalam-Karimpadam Handloom Cooperative Society gained global attention in the 2018 floods by making \u2018<strong>Chekutty dolls\u2019 from soiled cloth.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Handloom Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian handloom industry is one of the oldest and most vibrant cottage industries in the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Swadeshi Movement,<\/strong> launched on <strong>7th August 1905, <\/strong>championed indigenous industries as a form of economic resistance to colonial rule.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In honour of this legacy, the Government of India declared 7th August as<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/08-08-2022\/national-handloom-day\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/08-08-2022\/national-handloom-day\">National Handloom Day<\/a> <\/strong>in 2015.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>According to the 4th All India Handloom Census (2019\u201320),<\/strong> about 35.22 lakh households are involved in this work, and around <strong>72% of economic handloom weavers are women.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Top Export Destination:<\/strong> In FY 2024-25, the <strong>United States<\/strong> remained the largest destination, followed by the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom, respectively.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Products:<\/strong> Made-ups such as cushion covers, curtains, table linen, and other household items contributed 42.4% in 2024-25, followed by floor coverings like carpets, rugs, and mats, which made up 40.6%.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clothing accessories contributed 12.7%, while fabrics accounted for 4.3%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e5e1e2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"782\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Handloom-Industry.png\" alt=\"Handloom Industry\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-52037\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e5e1e2; width:460px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Handloom-Industry.png 620w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Handloom-Industry-238x300.png 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Challenges Faced by the Industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Declining Number of Weavers: <\/strong>Younger generations moving away due to low income, lack of social security, and absence of modern skill training.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Traditional weavers are aging, leading to a shrinking workforce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Distress:<\/strong> Rising cost of raw materials (cotton, silk, dyes) but low selling prices due to middlemen exploitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Competition from Powerlooms &amp; Mills: <\/strong>Mass-produced, machine-made fabrics are cheaper, faster to produce, and dominate markets.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Handloom products lose price competitiveness despite better quality and uniqueness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak Marketing &amp; Branding: <\/strong>Limited penetration in domestic and global markets due to the absence of branding, modern retail, and e-commerce adoption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological &amp; Skill Gaps: <\/strong>Traditional looms are labor-intensive and less productive.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lack of design innovation and modern training to meet changing fashion trends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Globalisation &amp; Import Competition: <\/strong>Cheap imports (especially from China and Bangladesh) are flooding Indian markets.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian handloom struggles to compete internationally due to high production costs and a lack of aggressive export promotion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>GeM Onboarding:<\/strong> Allows weavers to sell directly to government departments via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS):<\/strong> It has been approved for implementation for the period 2021\u201322 to 2025\u201326.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The scheme aims to support handloom weavers by ensuring the availability of quality yarn at affordable prices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marketing Assistance: <\/strong>Expos and district-level events are organised regularly to provide a marketing platform to the handloom weavers.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Certification of Handloom Products:<\/strong> The Handloom Mark was launched in 2006 to provide a distinct identity to handloom products.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2015, the India Handloom Brand (IHB) was introduced for branding high-quality handloom products.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Small Cluster Development Programme (SCDP): <\/strong>Need-based financial assistance of up to \u20b92 crore per cluster is provided for interventions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skill Up-gradation: <\/strong>Weavers and allied workers receive training to learn new weaving techniques, adapt to modern technologies, and develop new designs and colours.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Design Resource Centers (DRCs):<\/strong> Established in major cities to enhance design excellence in handlooms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weavers\u2019 Welfare Scheme:<\/strong> Includes National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), Handloom Weavers\u2019 Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS), Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS), and Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weaver MUDRA Scheme: <\/strong>Offers financial assistance for working capital and new technology investments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>GI Tags to Protect the Handloom Industry<\/strong><br>&#8211; GI tags are official markers given to products with a <strong>specific geographic origin and distinct qualities.&nbsp;<\/strong><br>1. They protect these products from unauthorized use or imitation, helping consumers identify authentic goods.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration &amp; Protection) Act, 1999, enacted in 2003, aims to<strong> safeguard producers&#8217; interests, prevent exploitation of GIs, and boost marketability.<\/strong><br>&#8211; From 2023 to 2024, the government awarded GI tags to several handloom products, enhancing their recognition and economic value. These products include:<br>1. Barabanki Handloom Products from Uttar Pradesh;<br>2. Chedibutta Saree from Tamil Nadu;<br>3. Jodhpur Bandhej Craft from Rajasthan;<br>4. Basohli Pashmina Woolen Products from Jammu &amp; Kashmir;<br>5. Rangwali Pichhoda of Kumaon from Uttarakhand;<br>6. Tangail Saree from West Bengal;<br>7. Garad Saree from West Bengal;<br>8. Korial saree from West Bengal.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/chendamangalam-handloom-industry-jolted-by-steep-decline-in-weavers-keep-fingers-crossed-during-this-onam\/article69964453.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">With Onam round the corner, customers are insistent on authentic ethnic wear called Chendamangalam handloom.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Major Challenges Faced by the Industry<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Declining Number of Weavers: Younger generations moving away due to low income, lack of social security, and absence of modern skill training.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Traditional weavers are aging, leading to a shrinking workforce.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Economic Distress: Rising cost of raw materials (cotton, silk, dyes) but low selling prices due to middlemen exploitation.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Competition from Powerlooms &#038; Mills: Mass-produced, machine-made fabrics are cheaper, faster to produce, and dominate markets.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-08-2025\/chendamangalam-handloom-crisis-onam\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52033"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52215,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52033\/revisions\/52215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}