The School of Fashion Technology, KIIT Deemed to be University celebrated the 9th National Handloom Day on 7th August 2023. Students enthusiastically participated in an exclusive handloom exhibition, ‘Kritantuja-23’ organized by the School to mark the occasion.
On the occasion, Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT-DU felicitated Bhikari Meher, a National Award winning weaver. Prof. Mohanty complimented the students of the School of Fashion Technology for the captivating exhibition showcasing innovative handloom products, paintings, and photographs.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Soumendyu S. Ray, Director General, School of Architecture and Planning, KIIT-DU highlighted Odisha’s rich cultural handloom heritage by narrating anecdotes from history. He urged the audience to include handloom clothes as 70% of the weavers are women.
The National Handloom Day is celebrated since 2015 with the objective of creating awareness among the masses about the importance of the handloom industry and presenting a wide range of handloom products, planned and designed as per the modern-day market demands.
Winners of various competitions based on the theme “Handloom & Heritage of Odisha” held by the School were also felicitated on the occasion. Winners of prizes in various categories were (a) Product Design – Ravi Krishna; (b) Photography – Siddhant Gupta and (c) Painting – Armaan Swain. Ms. Gipsita Nayak, Deputy Director, KIIT School of Fashion Technology also spoke on the occasion.