CM Yogi Congratulates Varanasi Weaver Naseem Ansari on National Handloom Award
Synopsis
On the 12th National Handloom Day, President Draupadi Murmu honoured Varanasi weaver Naseem Ansari with the National Handloom Award for his Ishqat Gulasta Jamdani Saree. CM Yogi Adityanath praised Ansari's craftsmanship and called the recognition a point of pride for all of Uttar Pradesh's weavers and artisans.
Key Takeaways
Naseem Ansari of Varanasi received the National Handloom Award (Weaving Category) on 7 August 2026 .
The award was presented by President Draupadi Murmu in New Delhi at the 12th National Handloom Day ceremony.
Ansari was recognised specifically for excellence in weaving the Ishqat Gulasta Jamdani Saree .
CM Yogi Adityanath congratulated Ansari and called the honour a source of pride for all weavers and craftsmen of Uttar Pradesh .
National Handloom Day is observed every 7 August to mark the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, with the Ministry of Textiles instituting the observance in 2015 .
A Varanasi artisan's mastery of the Ishqat Gulasta Jamdani saree earned national recognition on 7 August 2026, as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warmly congratulated Naseem Ansari on receiving the National Handloom Award (Weaving Category) from President Draupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi marking the 12th National Handloom Day.
CM Yogi's post, written in Hindi, offered heartfelt congratulations: 'हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं' ('heartfelt congratulations and best wishes'), saluting Ansari's 'extraordinary contribution in taking Varanasi's glorious weaving tradition to new heights with excellent craftsmanship and dedication.' The Chief Minister explicitly framed the honour as a source of pride not just for one artisan, but for 'all weavers and craftsmen of Uttar Pradesh.'
The Craft Behind the Award: Jamdani's Varanasi Lineage
The Ishqat Gulasta Jamdani Saree — the specific work cited in Ansari's national recognition — represents one of the most labour-intensive weaving traditions in India. Jamdani is a supplementary weft technique, historically woven on fine muslin, requiring weavers to insert individual threads by hand to build intricate floral and geometric patterns into the fabric. Varanasi's artisan clusters have long adapted this tradition alongside the city's celebrated Banarasi brocade, producing textiles that sit at the intersection of heritage and high craft.National Handloom Day: From Swadeshi to State Honour
National Handloom Day falls on 7 August every year — a date chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, when the call to embrace Indian-made goods, including handwoven cloth, became a cornerstone of the independence struggle. The Ministry of Textiles instituted the annual observance in 2015, with the National Handloom Awards serving as its centrepiece, recognising outstanding weavers and artisans across categories nationwide. This year's ceremony, presided over by President Murmu in New Delhi, marks the 12th edition of the day. Uttar Pradesh, home to some of India's densest handloom clusters — from Varanasi's silk weavers to the cotton traditions of Mubarakpur and Mau — has consistently featured among the states with the highest number of registered handloom workers. For the state's artisan community, a national award of this stature carries both economic signal and cultural affirmation. For Varanasi's weavers, Ansari's recognition is a reminder that the loom — patient, precise, irreplaceable — still commands the nation's highest stage.Point of View
' the Chief Minister signals the state's ongoing investment in handloom identity as both cultural policy and political messaging. The recognition of a Jamdani weaver from Varanasi also underlines the central government's push to mainstream traditional textile crafts through institutionalised awards, lending visibility to a sector that employs millions in informal settings. Observers of UP's textile policy will watch whether such recognition translates into expanded cluster-level support or budget allocations for handloom artisans in forthcoming state announcements.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naseem Ansari and what award did he win?
Naseem Ansari is a Varanasi-based weaver who received the National Handloom Award in the Weaving Category on 7 August 2026 for his excellence in crafting the Ishqat Gulasta Jamdani Saree .
What is National Handloom Day and why is it celebrated on 7 August?
National Handloom Day is observed every 7 August to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 , when Indians pledged to use domestically made goods including handwoven cloth. The Ministry of Textiles instituted the annual observance in 2015 .
Who presented the National Handloom Awards in 2026?
President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Handloom Awards at a ceremony in New Delhi on the occasion of the 12th National Handloom Day.
What is a Jamdani saree?
A Jamdani saree is woven using a supplementary weft technique in which individual threads are inserted by hand to create intricate floral and geometric patterns. It is one of India's most labour-intensive and historically significant weaving traditions, with strong roots in Varanasi .
Why did CM Yogi Adityanath congratulate Naseem Ansari?
CM Yogi Adityanath congratulated Ansari on receiving the National Handloom Award , praising his craftsmanship and dedication in elevating Varanasi's weaving tradition, and noting that the honour reflects pride for all weavers and artisans across Uttar Pradesh .
