President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu to Present Handicraft Awards on December 9, 2025
The Ministry of Textiles will honor distinguished artisans for the years 2023 and 2024 through the Handicraft Awards 2025, to be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This year’s ceremony particularly highlights Ms. Hirabai Jhareka Baghel, a national award winner from Chhattisgarh, who is being honored for her unique skill in metalcraft (Bell Metal) from Jagdalpur.
The chief guest of the event will be President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh will preside over the event, and the Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margharita will be present as a distinguished guest.
National Handicraft Awards were instituted in 1965 with the aim of recognizing outstanding artisans whose unique skills have enriched the country’s cultural heritage. The “Shilp Guru” awards, initiated in 2002, are the highest honors in the handicraft sector and are presented to master craftspeople who have demonstrated exceptional mastery, innovation, and preservation in traditional arts.
This ceremony is a major highlight of the National Handicraft Week (December 8-14). During this period, various activities across the country—handicraft exhibitions, thematic workshops, capacity-building programs, craft demonstrations, panel discussions, public awareness initiatives, and cultural programs—are organized with the aim of enhancing the socio-economic importance of handicrafts.
India’s handicraft sector is not only a vital custodian of cultural heritage but also the basis of livelihood for millions in rural and semi-urban areas. The Ministry of Textiles is continuously supporting artisans through measures such as recognition, skill development, technical assistance, financial empowerment, and market access. Through events like the Handicraft Awards and National Handicraft Week, the government aims to strengthen India’s rich craft heritage and empower craft communities.