Nalanda: A wave of pride swept through Nepura village in Bihar’s Nalanda district after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, praised local weaver Naveen Kumar for blending tradition with technology. PM Modi described Kumar’s journey as “inspirational,” highlighting how his family has preserved the ancestral craft of handloom weaving while adapting to modern methods.
Following the national recognition, celebrations broke out in Nepura, with members of the weaving community expressing newfound hope. “Till date, no one has spoken to us weavers directly like this. We hope our issues will now be taken seriously,” said Naveen Kumar in response to the PM’s remarks.
Reviving Tradition with Technology
Naveen Kumar, who also serves as the secretary of the Nepura Primary Weavers Cooperative Committee, shared that weaving has been a generational occupation in his village. “We produce silk shirting, kurtas, sarees, and dress materials on handlooms,” he said. “Earlier, we worked on pit looms — looms dug into the ground. But now, thanks to a Ministry of Textiles initiative, we have received modern frame looms that can even be installed on rooftops.”
This integration of technology has not only improved efficiency but also attracted younger generations. “Our children are now studying handloom technology and working with big brands,” Kumar said. PM Modi had also highlighted in his address that many of these children are getting admission under the weaver quota in premier institutions like the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Glory and Gaps: The Weaver’s Struggle
Despite the recognition, Kumar drew attention to the persistent challenges faced by the weaver community. “Our biggest problem is not craftsmanship — it is the lack of a reliable market,” he said.
Most of their products are supplied through the Upendra Maharathi Craft Research Institute, under the Bihar government, to malls in cities like Delhi and Patna. But there’s a catch: “Payment is made only after the product is sold. How can we buy thread or sustain our households if we don’t get timely payments?” Kumar asked.
He also urged the government to ensure fixed markets and better remuneration for weavers. “Our work is labor-intensive, but the wages do not match the effort. We also request the government to start a pension scheme for weavers to secure our future.”
A Call for Sustainable Support
While PM Modi’s recognition has energized the weaving community of Nepura, the underlying message from the ground is clear: symbolic appreciation must be followed by structural support. As Kumar put it, “This honor gives us strength. But we need systems in place to survive and grow.”
