SUSTAINABILITY OF HANDLOOM: A REVIEW

Abstract

The handloom sector has a unique place in Indian economy and plays a vital role in the economic development
of the rural poor. Despite several measures taken by the government by the way of institutional support and direct
financial assistance to the handloom weavers, they have been in miserable state due to myriad problems and are
sustaining continuous losses. Still it is undeniable that handloom won’t lose its market share because of its deep cultural
and aesthetic value but it has to face head-on competition of all forms to retain its traditional importance along with its
market share. Therefore for rural economic development of weaving community an active and penetrable market is
necessary for the handloom products. The objective of the present study is to have an in-depth analysis of various causes
that are responsible for the sustainable development of handloom. The paper basically reviews the vast literatures
available to scale out different avenues for rural economic development of weaving community through sustainability of
handloom.