Parichay Foundation, in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Zonal Office Kolkata, commemorated National Handloom Day with grandeur and cultural richness at the Rabindranath Tagore Centre, ICCR, Kolkata. The event served as a celebration of India’s vibrant handloom heritage and an appeal for its preservation through innovation and empowerment.
The occasion was graced by Chief Guest, Smt. Moon Moon Sen Varma, acclaimed Indian film actress and former Lok Sabha MP (Bankura). Other distinguished guests included:
Mr. Rumman Dastgir (Consul for Political and Economic Affairs, US Consulate General, Kolkata), CG Mr. Xu Wei (Consul General, The People’s Republic of China in Kolkata), Ms. Nelema R Patra (State Director, Consumer Welfare Legal Compliance Commission), Shri Rohini Nandan Goswami (Zonal Director, ICCR), Shri Priyadarshi Mishra (Ex-MLA, BJP Leader), Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra (Founder-President, Parichay Foundation)
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Nidhi Garg, followed by introductory speeches by Ms. Mimi Das and Dr. Ranjita Sahoo. The inaugural ceremony included a traditional lamp-lighting and the felicitation of dignitaries.
In her keynote, Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra emphasized the importance of reviving India’s handloom traditions and empowering the artisans behind them.
The Parichay Samman 2025 was awarded to distinguished individuals from various walks of life:
Smt. Moon Moon Sen Varma – Actress & Former MP
Smt. Asmita Trivedi – Astrophysicist & Tagore family member
Smt. Nupur Kazi – Great-granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s elder brother
Smt. Rochita Dey – Director, Sreeleathers Ltd
Smt. Polly Guha – Cultural personality & Founder, Indian Cultural Troupe
Miss Debdatta Biswas – Transgender activist & artist
Shri Dilip Das – CSR Head, Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd
Two insightful panel discussions brought diverse experts and cultural thinkers together:
1. Weaving the Future: Reviving Traditional Handlooms Through Innovation and Market Linkages
Dr. Bhagyalipi Malla, museologist and culture analyst, stressed the importance of protecting GI-tagged handloom products. She also noted that a research scholar from Odisha would soon present studies on GI-tagging and German digital textile technology applied to Gita Govinda Khandua sarees, a rare heritage weave from Odisha.
Panelists included:
Shri Ashok Kumar Banik (President, BCC&I), Dr. Ranjita Sahoo (CPO, DiHeSys GmbH, Germany), Smt. Asmita Trivedi (Tagore family member), Shri Rohini Nandan Goswami and
Shri Priyadarshi Mishra
2. Sustainability in Threads: Handloom as a Catalyst for Eco-Friendly Fashion
The second panel discussed eco-conscious production and market linkages as vital to sustaining India’s handloom industry. Panelists included: Ms. Shormi Roy Choudhury (Tech Mahindra Foundation),Ms. Mimi Das (PR & Brand Head, Newspole Bangla), Ms. Lili Jenamani (Founder, KRIAA Foundation), Shri Ritvik Das (Bluechip Projects Pvt. Ltd.), Ms. Swayamprava Rath (Rotary E-Club), Shri Omm Priyadarshi Chhotaray (Advisor, Ministry of Youth Affairs), and Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra.
Cultural Performances Honoring Handlooms and Heritage: Soulful musical performances by Jayashree Dhal, honoring India’s textiles and weavers. Spellbinding Mahari dance by Gungun Nirlipti, Odissi dancer, actress, and anchor. Graceful Odissi duet by Shri Bhimsen Kumar & Arpita Das (Puri). Elegant solo Odissi by Shri Arnab Bandyopadhyay (Kolkata) and Poetic recitations (Kavita Path) by Fullora Mukhopadhyay
Parineeti Ethnic Walk Show – A Tribute to India’s Handloom Diversity,
featuring three segments:
Northeast Handloom Collections – Curated by Joy Mandal Team
Bengal Handloom Collections – Curated by Fullora Mukhopadhyay Team
Odisha Handloom Collections – Curated by Mimi Das for Parineeti
Following the walk, each team was felicitated individually. The evening concluded with a group photograph with all participants and a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra.
