Lokesh Says He Is Promoting Mangalagiri Handloom In A Big Way
The minister participated in the handloom day celebrations at the Weaversala in Autonagar area along with chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. Lokesh inspected the handloom product stalls at the Weaver's Shop, the looms and the handloom fabrics.
VIJAYAWADA: Education Minister Nara Lokesh has said he’s promoting Mangalagiri handloom in a big way. At an event marking the National Handloom Day on Thursday, he said it was a privilege to celebrate the occasion in Mangalagiri.
"While many refer to weavers as labourers, I would refer to all our weaver brothers and sisters as artisans. The triple engine government is ensuring development and welfare in Mangalagiri,” he said.
The minister participated in the handloom day celebrations at the Weaversala in Autonagar area along with chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. Lokesh inspected the handloom product stalls at the Weaver's Shop, the looms and the handloom fabrics.
He recalled, “I came before you as a Telugu Desam candidate in 2019. I lost by a margin of 5,300 votes. But Mangalagiri town gave me a majority of 7,000 in the 2024 elections. On the day of defeat, I felt pain and anguish. I decided to work here for five years and get closer to the people. While in the opposition, we have undertaken 26 welfare programmes for the people of Mangalagiri constituency.”
Lokesh noted, “In Mangalagiri, the Padmasaali social group has two caste professions. One is handloom, and the other is goldsmith. When we were in the opposition, we provided 873 looms free of charge to encourage the handloom brothers. Seeing the difficulties of handloom weavers, we set up a Weaverssaala. We have helped increase the income of handloom weavers by 30 per cent by purchasing modern looms from Designs, signing an agreement with Tata Tanera, and through facilitating market linkages.”
“I am promoting the clothes of Mangalagiri handloom artisans in a big way. When we go to a family wedding, the saree we give there is also a Mangalagiri handloom saree. When I meet the Prime Minister, or other state and national leaders, I don them with a Mangalagiri handloom shawl. After Brahmani tied a Mangalagiri handloom saree, it went viral. In a single shop, 98 people bought the same colour of saree. We keep Mangalagiri in our hearts.”
The minister said that with the support of the CM, “We are constructing 31 community halls in Mangalagiri. We have provided 1,000 connections under PM Suryagarh. We will soon reach the target of 20,000. A model library work is under way here and the Mangalagiri-Tenali road has been constructed. The four-lane road work will also start soon and the Mahaprasthanam work is also progressing rapidly in Mangalagiri town.”
Lokesh said Pragada Kotaiah fought tirelessly for the welfare of weavers. “Hence, on behalf of our handloom family, we request CM Naidu to officially celebrate his birth anniversary.”
In addition, he said, “We have decided to give the name of Pragada Kotaiah to a park that is being developed on 6 acres in TIDCO Housing. A statue of Pragada Kotaiah is being installed in that park.”
Later, the minister presented a map of AP made of silk and yarn from areas like Srikakulam, Pondur Khaddar, Uppada, Mangalagiri and Venkatagiri to the chief minister.
