Goa/Guwahati, January 28, 2026: With India Energy Week 2026 currently underway in Goa, Assam’s indigenous women weavers are taking their traditional handloom craft to a global audience, with Shri John Berchmans Ekka, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises, Tea Tribes Welfare and Labour Welfare Departments), Government of Assam, visiting the Cairn Oil & Gas stall and encouraging women-led, community-based enterprises rooted in the state’s rich cultural heritage.

As global policymakers, industry leaders, innovators and investors converge at India’s flagship energy exhibition and conference to deliberate on energy security, sustainability and the energy transition, Cairn Oil & Gas is spotlighting a powerful story of inclusion and grassroots transformation alongside these discussions. On this international platform, women artisans from Cairn’s operational areas in Assam are showcasing their traditional handwoven textiles, bringing the region’s rich cultural legacy to the fore.

Through its initiative ‘Threads of Assam – Woven by Baidews’, Cairn has supported nearly 5,000 women artisans across Assam, enabling financial independence and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. As India Energy Week positions the country at the centre of the global energy transition, the initiative brings a deeply human and local dimension to this global platform, reinforcing the link between inclusive development and long-term sustainability.

Now in its fourth edition, India Energy Week is being held from January 27 to 30 under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. While discussions at the event focus on building a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future, Cairn’s participation underscores that sustainability extends beyond energy solutions to empowering communities and strengthening local economies.

Representing the Borchapori and Agchamua handloom centres in Assam—both supported through Cairn’s community development programmes—the women entrepreneurs are showcasing and selling a diverse range of traditional handwoven products. These include gamosas, mekhela chadors, jackets, saris, scarves, handcrafted bags, pillow covers and other indigenous textile creations made from traditional silks such as muga and eri, reflecting generations of craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

The women weavers are household entrepreneurs who have received structured training, market access and livelihood support through Cairn’s CSR initiatives, enabling them to transform traditional skills into viable, income-generating enterprises.

Through such initiatives, Cairn Oil & Gas continues to reinforce its commitment to community-led development that goes beyond its core operations. The programme reflects the company’s belief that sustainability is not limited to energy solutions alone, but also lies in empowering women, strengthening local economies and enabling equitable growth.

As India Energy Week 2026 continues to shape conversations around the global energy transition, the presence of Assam’s indigenous women artisans serves as a reminder that India’s growth story is strongest when local traditions, women-led enterprises and global opportunities are woven together—truly taking the journey from Local to Global.

BI Bureau