BHUBANESWAR: Launched to promote exquisite handlooms and support the dwindling weavers of our country hundreds of women members of ‘Six yards and 365 days’- a Facebook campaign , launched its Bhubaneswar chapter here on Sunday. Women flaunting exquisite hand-woven saris in wide varieties including Ikat, Sambalpuri, Bomkai, Khandua, Berhampuri, Patola, Banarasi, Jamdani, Chanderi and Vichitrapuri came forward to popularise the ‘sari movement’."I found number of women wearing saris is reducing by the day. So I thought of starting a Facebook campaign where women can post their photographs wearing a handloom sari, which will eventually help the weaving community. The response is amazing as the group has now more than 26,500 members from across the world and counting,” said Sunita Budhiraja , who launched the campaign with her four friends on August 15, 2015.Members of the group belonged to all walks of life and in the age-group of 20 to 70, have been posting their photos wearing handloom saris and anything about the sari, making the group as a knowledge sharing platform on handloom art and tradition of India."When we buy one cotton sari we help at least 60 persons and with each silk sari we help around 80 people starting from the farmer to the tailor who stitches blouses and petticoats. Moreover, with every like on Facebook we enhance the self-confidence among women and a strong bond. Now the members discuss on more topics than saris on the forum,” said Budhiraja.Weavers from the state gave live demonstrations and shared the difficulties faced by the weavers. Bhubaneswar chapter has the third highest members in the Facebook group and maximum members have completed their 100th, 200th and 300th sari draping milestones. Preetijyotsna Deo of the city was felicitated on the occasion for flaunting her 650th handloom sari."It is really an amazing platform where we got many new friends and a community to support each other apart from promoting the cause. Everyday we used to wear sari without knowing that we are helping some in their livelihood, now it’s for a cause,” said Sarita Garabadu, an active member of the group.

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