National Handloom Day: Sarees Dazzle on London Street, Courtesy BWIS

London: Cultural capital of the world, the historic city of London on the National Handloom Day (India) on August 7, saw a colourful walkathon by Indian women in sarees under the banner of British Women In Sarees (BWIS). Founder of BWIS Dr Dipti Jain took the lead and in the programme more than 700 women of Indian origin took part from 16 Indian states.

The first such saree walkathon in British history started from the Trafalgar Square and ended the Parliament Square via Downing Street. It ended near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi as the participants also paid floral tributes to the Father of Nation, who led the freedom struggle in India against the British rule. Twenty-five participants from Odisha took part in the walkathon under the leadership of Dr Renuka Jena.

Odia women were looking their best with the beautiful sarees from Odisha, i.e. Bomkai, Dolabedi, Sambalpuri, Khandua, Pasapalli, Berhampuri Pata, Gopalpur Tasar, Habaspuri and Sonpuri pata. The onlookers along the path of the walkathon appreciated the colourful sarees of the participants as the women represented the entire Indian sub-continent.

Promising photographer Akshita Brahma photo documented the event and Head of Culture Department at Indian High Commission Nandita Sahoo took part as the chief guest. The event by BWIS was organized to sensitize the British people on the Indian handlooms and their socio-cultural traditions.