The next growth story could be woven by hand

The article highlights the historical and contemporary significance of India's handloom sector, emphasizing its role as a major source of rural non-farm employment, particularly for women, and a crucial element of cultural heritage. It discusses the challenges of diminishing returns and the threat of extinction for many traditional weaves. The piece advocates for a policy shift from mere preservation to aspiration, focusing on leveraging handloom's potential for economic growth, global branding, sustainability, and soft power. It also underscores the importance of government initiatives, market access, e-commerce integration, Geographical Indication (GI) protection, and better data measurement to ensure the sector's future viability and attract younger generations.