Chhattisgarh’s Kosa Set to Shine in Global Markets as Chief Minister Launches Premium Handloom Brand ‘Koshal Fab’
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Participates in State-Level Weavers’ Conference and Swadeshi Exhibition
Raipur, August 7, 2026/
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the State-Level Weavers’ Conference and Swadeshi Exhibition organised at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur on the occasion of National Handloom Day. He distributed more than Rs. 10.90 crore in grants and award money to beneficiaries associated with silk, handloom, handicrafts, khadi and the Mati Kala Board, as well as meritorious students.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched ‘Koshal Fab’, the new premium handloom brand of the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation, and unveiled its logo and catalogue. He also launched a Handloom Inventory Management Software.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai extended greetings on National Handloom Day to the people of the state, particularly weavers and artisans. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the observance of National Handloom Day in 2015 in memory of the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh’s Kosa, Bastar weaving and traditional handloom products are gaining a distinct identity across India and abroad. He said the State Government aims to give Chhattisgarh’s handloom products a new ‘Local to Global’ identity through modern designs, skill upgradation, training, branding, marketing and access to new markets.
He said that the State Government is working with commitment for the economic and social empowerment of every section of society. He said that most of the promises made under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s guarantees have been fulfilled by the State Government.
He said that lakhs of low-income families are realising their dream of owning pucca houses through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Payment of the differential amount for paddy procurement to farmers, annual financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to landless agricultural labourers, economic empowerment of women through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, and the revival of the Charan Paduka Yojana for tendupatta collectors reflect the government’s welfare-oriented approach.
The Chief Minister said that more than 50,000 devotees from Chhattisgarh have visited Prabhu Shri Ram under the Ramlala Darshan Yojana. He added that the State Government is committed to transparent, accountable and corruption-free governance. Through the e-Office system, Chief Minister Helpline 1076 and Seva Setu Portal, citizens are being provided government services in a timely and transparent manner from their homes.
He said that the government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of development schemes reach the last person and to build a self-reliant and prosperous Chhattisgarh.
Major Initiatives for Weavers Under Good Governance
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the State Government is continuously working towards the economic empowerment of weavers and artisans. Over the past two and a half years, approval has been granted for the construction of weaver sheds-cum-houses for 469 homeless weaver families.
He said that around Rs. 10 crore worth of handloom products were sold through 47 exhibitions organised during the same period, providing better market opportunities to weavers.
Highlighting the important role of women in the handloom sector, the Chief Minister said that more than Rs. 68 crore has been paid as stitching remuneration to 2,001 women self-help groups over the past two and a half years.
The Chief Minister said that the Khadi and Village Industries Board supplied textiles worth Rs. 93 crore to various government departments through five sales outlets and the central warehouse. In addition, government procurement of textiles worth Rs. 436 crore produced by weavers has provided them with significant economic support.
Shri Sai said that the State Government is making continuous efforts to provide national and international markets for handloom products. As part of this initiative, showrooms displaying Chhattisgarh’s handloom and handicraft products are being established at five major airports in the country.
He said that the Unity Mall under construction in Raipur will provide a modern marketing platform for local products.
The Chief Minister further said that the state’s first garment manufacturing unit is being established in Nava Raipur, which will generate employment opportunities for more than 4,500 people. The establishment of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will also create new opportunities for young people in the design and textile sectors and help Chhattisgarh’s handloom industry reach new heights.
Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh Encourages Weavers
Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh said that nearly 1.20 lakh families in the state are associated with handloom and related activities. He said that the observance of National Handloom Day, initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the sector renewed recognition and energy.
He appealed to citizens to purchase at least one handloom product every year, saying that preserving the hard work of weavers, their art and the state’s rich traditions is a shared responsibility.
Rural Industries Minister Recalls Legacy of the Swadeshi Movement
Rural Industries Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav said that the Swadeshi Movement launched on August 7, 1905, awakened the spirit of self-reliance across the country. He said that Chhattisgarh’s Kosa sarees hold a distinctive place nationwide and that the State Government is continuously promoting handloom, handicrafts and village industries.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the State Government is committed to providing new opportunities to weavers, artisans and local entrepreneurs and expanding markets for their products.
Chief Minister Visits Swadeshi Exhibition, Purchases Kosa Saree
During the programme, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai visited the Swadeshi Exhibition and inspected stalls set up by various institutions, including the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation, Bilasa Handloom, Khadi and Village Industries Board, Handicrafts Development Board, Shabari Emporium and Mati Kala Board.
He viewed Kosa, khadi, handicrafts, pottery and other traditional products and interacted with artisans to learn about product quality, marketing and employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister appealed to people to adopt and promote local products. During the exhibition, he personally purchased a Kosa saree from a handloom stall by making an immediate payment.
He said that purchasing local products is the greatest recognition of the labour and skills of weavers and artisans. The gesture encouraged the weavers and women artisans present at the programme.
Ramp Walk by Surrendered Women Becomes Major Attraction
One of the most inspiring and emotional moments of the programme came when surrendered Naxalite women from Bastar confidently participated in a ramp walk during the Swadeshi fashion show.
They showcased traditional Chhattisgarhi Kosa silk and other handloom garments. The presentation reflected their growing confidence, dignified rehabilitation, journey towards self-reliance after joining the mainstream, and the positive transformation taking place in Bastar.
The audience encouraged them with applause. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai interacted warmly with the women, encouraged them and wished them a bright future.
It was noted that almost all of these women had visited Raipur for the first time, making the experience a memorable part of their lives.
Chief Minister Launches Premium Handloom Brand ‘Koshal Fab’
The new premium handloom brand ‘Koshal Fab’ of the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation was launched during the programme. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai also unveiled the brand’s logo and catalogue.
Based on the concept of ‘Loom to Luxury’, the premium brand aims to give Chhattisgarh’s Kosa and traditional handloom products a new identity in national and international markets and take them to the global level.
Inventory Management Software and Other Innovations Launched
In the presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation launched an Inventory Management Software developed in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The digital initiative will make product storage, management, marketing and distribution more effective, transparent and organised.
A directory of state- and national-level award-winning weavers and a book on tie-dye and Bandhani dyeing were also released. A glazing unit to be established at Goriya in Jashpur district was also inaugurated.
During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed grants and award money to beneficiaries under various schemes of the Rural Industries Department. He provided Rs. 81.83 lakh in incentives to 935 students who performed exceptionally well in Classes 10 and 12. He also honoured 17 senior weavers with recognition amounts for their outstanding contribution.
The Chief Minister said that more than Rs. 1.22 crore has been sanctioned through the Directorate of Handloom for the construction of weaver sheds-cum-houses for 49 weavers.
In addition, Rs. 75 lakh has been provided to five weavers’ cooperative societies for building construction, while 85 weavers have been provided with upgraded looms and supporting equipment.
Spectacles were also distributed to weavers who underwent eye examinations in collaboration with Sightsavers India. Assistance was provided to 21 silk farmers under the Silk Samagra Scheme by the Directorate of Sericulture. Grants were also distributed to beneficiaries of the Khadi and Village Industries Board under the Chief Minister Employment Generation Scheme.
Similarly, the Handicrafts Development Board distributed modern tool kits to 30 artisans, while the Mati Kala Board provided electric potter’s wheels to 70 registered clay artisans to improve their production and livelihoods.
On National Handloom Day, the Chief Minister also honoured outstanding weavers with the State-Level Late Bisahudas Mahant Best Weaver Award and the Rajarajeshwari Karunamata Handloom Promotion Award.
Chief Minister Appeals to People to Join ‘Selfie with Swadeshi’ Campaign
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to adopt indigenous products and join the ‘Selfie with Swadeshi’ campaign.
He said that purchasing local products not only strengthens the livelihoods of weavers, artisans and craftspeople but also reinforces the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Chief Minister said that selected participants from each district who purchase Swadeshi products and share selfies with them on social media will be awarded. He urged more people to participate in the campaign and promote local products.
Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Lakhan Lal Dewangan, Chhattisgarh State Handloom Weavers’ Federation Chairman Shri Bhojram Dewangan, Khadi and Village Industries Board Chairman Shri Rakesh Pandey, Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board Chairperson Smt. Shalini Rajput, Sanskrit Vidya Mandalam Chairman Shri Rajesh Rajput, Secretary Shri Rajesh Singh Rana, Shri Chunnilal Sahu, public representatives and a large number of weavers, artisans and craftspeople were present at the programme.
