President Murmu Honours Khargone Weaver Kamal Gaur for Excellence in Maheshwari Saree Weaving, CM Mohan Yadav Congratulates
President Droupadi Murmu honoured master weaver Kamal Gaur of Khargone district with the National Handloom Award 2026 on the occasion of the 12th National Handloom Day on Friday. Kamal Gaur received the prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Maheshwari saree weaving, which has earned national recognition for Maheshwar's rich handloom tradition.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav congratulated Kamal Gaur on receiving the prestigious honour. He said the award is a matter of pride for the distinctive identity of the Maheshwari saree, Madhya Pradesh's rich handloom heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship of the State's weavers. CM said the State Government is committed to developing Maheshwar as a Textile Tourism Village, with sustained efforts to preserve and elevate this centuries-old handloom tradition to new heights.
President Droupadi Murmu, graced the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations and presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, today (August 8, 2026). Four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's rich and diverse handloom weaving traditions were also released on the occasion.
President said that handloom has been an integral part of the evolutionary journey of India’s civilization for centuries. It reflects the extraordinary diversity of our nation and has preserved our regional uniqueness. The handloom sector fosters employment, women's empowerment, art and culture, and love for nature. Handloom has also been linked to India’s freedom struggle and the spirit of self-reliance.
The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is the country's highest honour for handloom weavers, recognising their extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication, and sustained contributions towards preserving and promoting India's weaving traditions. The National Handloom Award honours handloom weavers and other stakeholders who have demonstrated outstanding creativity, quality, innovation and excellence while preserving traditional skills and embracing modern techniques.