**Executive Summary**
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated a new academic block at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Salem, Tamil Nadu on February 27, 2026. The event highlighted the significance of India's handloom heritage and the role of IIHT Salem in bridging tradition and technology and transforming handloom into a future-ready creative industry. The Vice President also emphasized the potential for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance the global competitiveness of the textile industry.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inauguration and Significance of IIHT Salem:**
* A new academic block of IIHT Salem was inaugurated.
* IIHT Salem serves as a bridge between traditional craftsmanship and modern textile science, enhancing productivity, quality, and market-driven production.
* IIHT Salem plays a crucial role in transforming the handloom sector, generating value, upholding the dignity of labour, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for artisans.
* **India's Handloom Heritage:**
* The Vice President highlighted India's diverse and globally recognized handloom products from various regions.
* Tamil Nadu's weaving traditions were underscored, including various silk and cotton products.
* **India-EU FTA and Textile Industry:**
* The India-EU FTA is expected to improve India's competitiveness in textile manufacturing.
* Textile exports from Salem to the EU and leather exports from Ambur are anticipated to increase substantially.
* **Exhibition:**
* The Vice President visited an exhibition at IIHT Salem displaying handloom products from across the country.
**Impact Analysis**
**IIHT Salem**
* **Impact:** Strengthening its role in bridging tradition and technology and its contribution to India's handloom sector.
* **Action Required:** Continue to focus on blending traditional knowledge with contemporary technology to enhance productivity, quality standards, and market-driven production.
**Indian Textile Industry**
* **Impact:** Potential for enhanced global competitiveness, increased exports, and growth due to the India-EU FTA.
* **Action Required:** Prepare to leverage the opportunities presented by the India-EU FTA to boost textile exports and witness substantial growth.
**Artisans Nationwide**
* **Impact:** Focus on transforming the handloom sector into a future-ready creative industry that generates value, upholds dignity of labour, and ensures sustainable livelihoods.
* **Action Required:** Embrace new technologies and adapt to market demands while preserving the authenticity of traditional handwoven textiles.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Salem: A key institution for handloom technology, the focus of the Vice President's visit.
India-EU FTA: Mentioned as a means to enhance the global competitiveness of the textile industry.
Tamil Nadu: State where IIHT Salem is located, featuring vibrant weaving traditions.
Union Minister of Textiles: The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, attended the event.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Inaugurates New Academic Block
of IIHT Salem; Emphasizes Strengthening India’s
Handloom Heritage
Vice President Highlights IIHT’s Role in Bridging Tradition and
Technology
India–EU FTA to Enhance Global Competitiveness of Textile
Industry: Vice President
Vice-President Calls for Transforming Handloom into Future-
Ready Creative Industry
Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 7:21PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today inaugurated a new academic block of Indian
Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Salem, Tamil Nadu. During the inauguration, the Vice
President underscored the historic, cultural, and economic significance of Salem, noting that the city has
contributed significantly to trade, industry, and public life.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the new academic block of
the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Salem, Tamil Nadu, today.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President said that IIHT Salem stands as a
bridge between tradition and modernity.… pic.twitter.com/io9NmBfUZJ
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) February 27, 2026
He recalled that Salem is closely associated with the distinguished national leader Thiru C.
Rajagopalachari ji, who began his distinguished legal career here and later served as Member and
Chairman of the Salem Municipality. The Vice President also referred to the recent inauguration of
Rajaji’s bust at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the bust of Edward Lutyens.
He observed that IIHT Salem serves as a vital bridge between indigenous craftsmanship and modern
textile science. By blending traditional knowledge with contemporary technology, the institute has
enhanced productivity, improved quality standards, and enabled market-driven production while
preserving the authenticity of handwoven textiles.Highlighting India’s rich handloom heritage, the Vice President noted that from the silk brocades of
Varanasi, Jamdani of Bengal, Muga silk of Assam, Kani shawls of Kashmir, Venkatagiri and Mangalagiri
weaves of Andhra Pradesh, to Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees of Madhya Pradesh, Indian handloom
products have earned global recognition for their craftsmanship and cultural legacy.
He also underscored Tamil Nadu’s vibrant weaving traditions, including Chettinadu Kandangi sarees,
Kanchipuram silk, Arani silk, Thirubuvanam silk, Chennimalai blankets, Nagercoil veshtis and towels,
and Madurai Sungudi sarees. Salem, Erode, Bhavani, Chennimalai, Madurai, Sathyamangalam, Karur,
Sankarankovil, Andipatti, Ettayapuram, Paramakudi, Sayarpuram, Puliyampatti and Srivilliputhur
continue to be renowned centres of weaving excellence.
Referring to recent trade developments, he noted that the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union
will improve India’s competitiveness in textile manufacturing. These advancements, he said, reflect the
focused efforts of the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Expressing confidence in the sector’s growth, the Vice President said textile exports from Salem to the
European Union are poised to rise significantly. Leather exports from Ambur are also expected to witness
substantial growth.
Concluding, the Vice President emphasized that IIHT Salem has a crucial role in transforming the
handloom sector into a future-ready creative industry that generates value, upholds dignity of labour, and
ensures sustainable livelihoods for artisans nationwide.
The Vice President also visited an exhibition at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT),
Salem where handloom products from all over country were displayed.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan visited an exhibition at the Indian
Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Salem today where handloom products
from all over country were displayed. pic.twitter.com/wLCRRMdV2s
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) February 27, 2026
The event was attended by the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh; the Minister for Tourism,
Government of Tamil Nadu, Shri R. Rajendran; and other dignitaries.
***
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