'Youth Can Build Future in Handloom and Handicraft,' Says Virendra Semwal

Day 03 ( 05.12.2025 ) Highlights and Achievements, Craft Demonstration-cum-Awareness Programme: A Confluence of Handicrafts ( Day 3 ), Students Learn About Handloom at Craft Demonstration Awareness Programme.

Rishikesh, December 5, 2025: Today marked the second day of the three-day Craft Demonstration-cum-Awareness Programme held at Swami Purnanand Degree College, Rishikesh. The event is dedicated to the preservation, promotion of traditional handicrafts, and the empowerment of students and artisans.

The programme, sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and organized by M/s Rishikesh Natural Fiber Handicrafts Producer Company Limited, focused on showcasing handicraft demonstrations while also highlighting cultural well-being through Yoga, a core identity of Rishikesh.

Addresses by Dignitaries : Distinguished guests addressed and guided the students and artisans:

On the final day of the three-day Craft Demonstration Awareness Camp organized by Rishikesh Natural Fiber, designated official Virendra Semwal stated that youth can secure their future by becoming proficient in handloom and handicraft. He appealed to young people to excel in their skills alongside their studies. During the awareness camp held at Purnanand Degree College, Muni Ki Reti, Anil Chandola, Director of Rishikesh Natural Fiber, shared that success is achieved when work is approached with a positive mindset.

He mentioned that Rishikesh Natural Fiber Company was established in 2020 and has since achieved significant milestones. Natural products made by Rishikesh Natural Fiber from natural fibers like Bheemal, Kandali (Nettle), and Hemp are in demand both nationally and internationally. Students from various institutions, hotel staff, and other company personnel come to the company for training. Rishikesh Natural Fiber also prepares goods for several hotels, schools, and other institutions. He noted that people are increasingly using products made from natural fibers as an alternative to plastic.

Interactive Sessions and Resource Persons. A key highlight of today’s event was the interactive session with industry experts/resource persons, where students had the opportunity to learn directly from field veterans.

The Resource Persons included:

Collectively, the resource persons educated the college students on the intricacies of handicrafts, market demand, and entrepreneurial opportunities. They emphasized that such initiatives are crucial in not only preserving age-old craftsmanship skills but also in adapting them to meet contemporary market needs.

Designated official Virendra Semwal reiterated that young people can achieve self-employment and build their future by gaining expertise in handloom and handicraft. He emphasized that youth should be proficient in other skills besides their academic pursuits. Rishikesh Natural Fiber is also providing employment to border-area farmers in the state. The company purchases sheep wool from shepherds in districts like Tehri, Uttarkashi, and others, converts it into products, and sells them in the market, providing shepherds with an additional income.

S.S. Negi, Retired Deputy Director of the District Industries Centre (DIC), said that Rishikesh Natural Fiber is motivating women toward employment through training, resulting in many women sustaining their livelihoods through self-employment. Those present on the occasion included Narendra Prasad Kukshal, Ramsevak Raturi, Bina Pundir, Bhavendra Kumar, Ratan Srivastava, Kiran Bhardwaj, and Kamli Panwar, among others.