The 9th National Handloom Day is being celebrated at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan on August 7 (Monday). Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his presence at the venue. He was seen interacting with various artisans, handloom and khadi weavers. During this programme, PM Modi launched the e-portal of 'Bharatiya vastra evam shilp kosh' – a repository of textiles and crafts that has been developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the statement said.

Here are the top quotes of his speech:

India witnessing a new revolution with the use of ‘Swadeshi’.

‘Vocal for Local’ has become a mass movement.

Weavers are being provided with modern technology to create new designs and threads at subsidised rates.

The government giving a thrust on addressing problems related to the marketing of handloom items.

The government is making efforts to set up ‘Ekta Malls’, similar to one at ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat, across the country.

We are witnessing the rise of the ‘neo-middle class’, which provides a great opportunity for textile companies.

The country is saying “Corruption Quit India”, “Dynasty Quit India” and “Appeasement Quit India”.

After independence, much importance was not given to strengthening the cloth industry(Khadi), which was so strong during the last century.

People who wore Khadi were looked upon with an inferiority complex.