Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Khemraj Sundriyal Credits Modi Government for Handloom Recognition
Khemraj Sundriyal has worked with handlooms for almost 60 years.
He makes textiles using traditional weaving skills.
He says many weavers did not receive enough recognition in the past.
Sundriyal believes the Modi government has helped give handloom workers a stronger identity.
The Government of India also created training centres and skill programmes for people in the sector.
Sundriyal received the Padma Shri for his contribution to handloom craftsmanship.
His son, Ajay, said the award was a proud and emotional moment for their family.
Sundriyal’s story shows how recognising artisans can support traditional crafts and families.
Padma Shri awardee Khemraj Sundriyal praised the Narendra Modi-led government for raising the profile of India’s handloom sector and weavers.
Sundriyal said many artisans’ skills remained unrecognised despite their role in preserving traditional crafts.
He said the Government of India established training centres and introduced skill and technical initiatives after the sector struggled in the mid-1970s.
Sundriyal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with recognising his lifelong contribution through the Padma Shri award.
Born in Uttarakhand, Sundriyal trained in weaving and dyeing in Srinagar during the 1960s and studied indigenous techniques nationwide.
- Who
- Padma Shri awardee and handloom artisan Khemraj Sundriyal, along with his son Ajay Sundriyal, discussed the recognition of weavers.
- What
- Sundriyal praised the Narendra Modi-led government for giving India’s handloom sector and weaving community greater recognition, and credited it for his Padma Shri award.
- When
- The comments were made on Thursday; Sundriyal trained in weaving and dyeing during the 1960s, while the sector faced difficulties in the mid-1970s.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Panipat. Sundriyal was born in Uttarakhand and received training in Srinagar.
- Why
- Sundriyal said government training centres, technical initiatives and recognition of artisans helped support the handloom sector and its traditional crafts.
- Artisan
- Khemraj Sundriyal, a handloom artisan with nearly six decades of experience
- Award
- Padma Shri
- Sector challenge
- The handloom industry was struggling in the mid-1970s
- Government measures
- Training centres and initiatives focused on modern skills and technical knowledge
- Training
- Sundriyal studied weaving and dyeing in Srinagar during the 1960s
- Origins
- He was born in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand
- Family reaction
- His son Ajay Sundriyal described the Padma Shri news as proud and emotional for the family