Hyderabad: Telangana Textiles Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Thursday felicitated two handloom workers, Gajam Narmada and Guda Pawan, who have been selected for the National Handloom Award–2024 by the Union Ministry of Handloom and Textiles.
The felicitation ceremony was held at the Secretariat, where the Minister presented shawls to the awardees, both of whom hail from Puttapaka village in Sansthan Narayanapuram mandal, Yadadri district.
Calling their recognition a matter of pride for the state, the Minister noted that only 19 artisans were selected nationwide, with two representing Telangana. He said their work reflected the state’s rich weaving traditions and craftsmanship.
Rao reiterated the government’s commitment to handloom workers, assuring that all necessary support would be extended to promote their welfare.
In a review meeting held earlier in the day, the Minister directed the creation of a special label to increase visibility and demand for Telangana’s handloom products in both Indian and global markets.
Departments and state-run corporations were instructed to place orders for clothing requirements for the coming year by September. Distribution to departments that have already ordered must be completed without delay, he said.
The Minister also pushed for faster processing of personal loans for handloom workers and ordered that funds be directly transferred to beneficiaries without delay.
He called for reforms in Tesco showrooms, suggesting that loss-making outlets be merged with profitable ones to improve operational efficiency.
Rao further instructed officials to expedite the relocation of the Sri Konda Laxman Bapuji Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) from Hyderabad to Pochampally, establishing it on a permanent basis within the current year.
