By Firstdespatch Desk Feb 10, 2026
Agartala, Feb 10 (FD) The State Handloom Expo 2025–26 was formally inaugurated on Tuesday at the Sonamura Sporting Association Ground, marking a renewed push to preserve and promote indigenous textile traditions in Tripura. The 14-day-long exhibition will continue until February 23 and showcases the rich handloom, handicraft, and sericulture heritage of the state and the country.
The expo was inaugurated by Tripura’s Minister for Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture, and Tribal Welfare, Bikash Debbarma, in the presence of several ministers, public representatives, senior officials, artisans, and local residents. The event features a total of 70 stalls, including 60 stalls from different parts of Tripura and 10 stalls from outside the state. These stalls display traditional handwoven fabrics, handicrafts, silk products, and vibrant weaving traditions from across India.
The expo is being organised with financial support from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and is jointly implemented by the Tripura Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture Department in collaboration with the Sepahijala District Administration. Addressing the gathering, Minister Bikash Debbarma underlined the need to strengthen the handloom sector by preserving traditional art forms while encouraging innovation. He described handloom as a cultural pride of Tripura’s tribal communities and emphasised that fairs like this create direct market access for artisans.
Highlighting the economic importance of the sector, the minister said handloom stands next only to agriculture in generating livelihoods and assured that the state government is planning new projects to further empower weavers and artisans.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, who attended the programme as the chief guest, stated that the vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be achieved by making every sector self-reliant. He stressed that strengthening indigenous weaving and promoting local products are essential steps toward that goal, aligning with the national vision of “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global.”
Several other dignitaries, including elected representatives, district officials, and social workers, also addressed the event. The expo is expected to attract large footfall and provide artisans with a vital platform to showcase their skills, expand market linkages, and sustain traditional livelihoods. FD SB