National Handloom Day 2026: Former Women Naxals Walk Ramp in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur (Videos)
In a event marking National Handloom Day, a group of surrendered female Naxalites walked the fashion runway in Raipur to promote Chhattisgarh’s rich textile heritage. Dressed in local Kosa silk and traditional handloom garments, the former insurgents shared the stage with professional models at the Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium.
Former women Naxal cadres from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region took part in a special ramp walk in Raipur, marking National Handloom Day with a display of traditional handloom sarees. The event highlighted their transition into mainstream society while also showcasing the state’s textile traditions. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was among those present at the event. The women, who had earlier been associated with the Maoist movement and subsequently surrendered, walked the ramp wearing traditional Chhattisgarh handloom attire, according to a report.
Their participation was presented as an example of rehabilitation and reintegration, with the event focusing on their move towards self-reliance and livelihoods outside the insurgency. The women received applause from the audience as they walked alongside other participants at the Raipur event. PM Narendra Modi Urges Citizens To Celebrate National Handloom Day With GRWM Videos in Latest Instagram Reel.
Former Women Naxals Walk Ramp in Raipur, Showcase Chhattisgarh Handloom Heritage
#WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Former women Naxals, who once carried weapons in the dense forests of Bastar, walked the ramp to huge applause at a National Handloom Day event in Raipur after joining the mainstream. (07.08) https://t.co/BtUfHIUsHs pic.twitter.com/ClHzGcRWp1
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026
Handloom Heritage Takes Centre Stage
The ramp walk was organised as part of National Handloom Day programmes, placing the spotlight on Chhattisgarh’s traditional textiles and weaving traditions. The event also provided a platform for handloom products and traditional attire, connecting the state’s cultural heritage with efforts to create livelihood opportunities for communities emerging from conflict. Amit Shah Extends National Handloom Day Greetings, Urges Support for India's Weavers.
Bastar’s Changing Landscape
Bastar has for decades been affected by Maoist insurgency. The participation of former women cadres at a public cultural event reflects the broader efforts to bring surrendered members into mainstream society through rehabilitation and alternative livelihood opportunities. State authorities have also been focusing on development and connectivity in Bastar as part of efforts to strengthen the region after years of conflict.
Government Focus on Rehabilitation
The Chhattisgarh government has linked rehabilitation with broader development initiatives in Bastar. Recent discussions by state leaders with the Centre have also focused on infrastructure and rural development requirements in the region. The Raipur event combined these themes with a cultural showcase, using handloom and traditional clothing to highlight a different aspect of Bastar and the wider state.
For the women who participated, the ramp walk offered a public platform to present themselves not through their former association with insurgency, but through their participation in mainstream social and cultural life.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2026 04:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
