Shri Khem Raj Sundriyal to Receive Padma Shri Award on June 23

Chandigarh, 20 June 2026: Shri Khem Raj Sundriyal is set to be honoured with the Padma Shri Award at a special investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 23, where President Smt. Droupadi Murmu will confer the prestigious civilian honour.

Shri Khem Raj Sundriyal, President of The Vishnu Handloom P.C.I.S Ltd. is a towering figure in India's handloom and tapestry weaving heritage with over five decades of experience. He has not only mastered the intricate art of weaving but has also shaped generations of artisans through his compassionate mentorship and visionary leadership. He is widely recognized across the world for his role in pioneering the traditional weaving to international level.

Born on 5 February,1943 in a humble family in Sumari village Uttarakhand, Shri Sundriyal secured his diploma in Handloom technology from Government Industrial Training Institute, Srinagar, Uttarakhand. His journey from tilling fields to transforming India's textile landscape reflects unmatched perseverance, discipline and devotion to excellence.

He joined Weavers Service Centre Delhi in 1967 as a weaver and started his journey in the field of handloom. After retiring from his job, he founded The Vishnu Handloom P.C.I.S Ltd. in 2001- a co-operative handloom society and served as president where he trained several local weavers into skilled weavers. Beyond innovation, his legacy shines through his role as an inspiring teacher and cultural torchbearer. He trained over ten thousand weavers and students from renowned institutions across the country.

Shri Sundriyal articulated and implemented Hattah technique in Punja duree loom by replacing punja and improved efficiency of weavers, also in 1980 he introduced polyester yarn in handloom under petrofil project. He undertook project in 1986 in which he weaved animal figures through jacquard loom. In 2001, he enhanced jamdani weaving in woollen yarn, earning a certificate of merit and served as a visiting lecturer at Lalit Kala Academy, IICD Jaipur.

He is the recipient of numerous award and honours. He received Sant Kabir award in 2009 by the Government of India, Certificate of Merit in 2001 by the Government of India, Certificate of Merit by the Government of Haryana in 2018, Delhi State Handicraft Award in 1999, Thakur Ved Ram National Award in 2011 for handloom weaving. He was chosen as the significant promoter of Handloom in Panipat by District Administration Panipat, Haryana in 2016.