President Pranab Mukherjee today called for modernisation in the weaving technique, improvement of designs and pattern, technology and upgradation of skills to ensure quality in Handicraft and Handloom sectors. Conferring the Shilp Guru Awards, Sant Kabir Awards along with National Award to master craftpersons and master weavers at a function in New Delhi, Mr Mukherjee said that there is a need to ensure supply of good quality basic inputs like yarn, dyes and chemicals in time to create a sound marketing infrastructure. He said that this would not only give the required impetus but also make the products of weavers and craft persons more competitive.

Stressing the need for preserving India's handicrafts and handloom herritage, he said that a focussed approach is needed to adopt changes that are taking place in the present global economic sceinario. The President asked the government to provide the enabling policy support to handloom and handicraft sector which requires modern weaving techniques to become more competitive.

AIR correspondent reports that Shilp Guru awards are conferred to legendary master craftspersons of Handicrafts whose work and dedication have contributed not only to the preservation of rich and diverse craft heritage of the country. While Sant Kabir Award is conferred on such outstanding weaver who has made valuable contribution in keeping alive the handloom heritage and also for his dedication in building up the linkages between the past, present and future through dissemination of knowledge on traditional skills and designs.

National Awards to Master Craftspersons and master weavers were introduced in 1965 and the award comprises of a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees, a certificate, Tamrapatra and an Angavastram.