Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Friday observed National Handloom Day, marking the culmination of the 12th National Handloom Week at the Integrated Textile Tourism Complex at Ri Sai, Nongpoh.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and participation in the programme.
He stated that the textile designs on display, Dakmanda, Dharashat, Mukhli, and Thoseru —are not merely fabrics or attire, but representations of the identity of the diverse communities of the State.
He added that for the Government, supporting weavers is not only about livelihood generation but also an investment in culture and identity.
“This is a celebration of Meghalaya and a message to the country and the world that we are proud of our heritage,” he said.
The Chief Minister further noted that over the past six to seven years, the Government has worked to keep identity, culture, language, and tradition at the core of the State’s progress.
He highlighted that Khasi and Garo were accorded the status of official languages after 54 years, a decision aimed at protecting the dignity and identity of the people.
Emphasising the broader vision, he remarked, “Our endeavour has gone beyond textiles and weaving. We are weaving our culture. We are protecting it. That is how we are investing in our people.”
He also appreciated St. Anthony’s College for training weavers in using Instagram to promote their products, enabling them to access wider markets.
During the programme, the Chief Minister hoisted the national flag as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga initiative.
The Chief Minister called upon everyone to continue celebrating, protecting, and promoting Meghalaya’s rich handloom traditions. He noted that National Handloom Week provides an opportunity to honour weavers, spinners, and rearers, along with recognising their contributions through awards.
On the occasion, he inaugurated the Centre of Excellence, which will help preserve and pass on the skills and traditions of Eri weaving to future generations. With its Ahimsa Silk training and design centre, restaurant, cottages, and retail plaza, Ri Sai integrates craft, cuisine, culture, trade, and tourism within a single campus.
He expressed his happiness at seeing Umden-Diwon and Ri Bhoi emerge as hubs for indigenous textile traditions and as living symbols of Meghalaya’s rich heritage.
The Chief Minister also handed over awards to textile entrepreneurs, weavers, and farmers in recognition of their exceptional efforts in promoting Eri silk and its products.
It may be noted that the textile sector supports the livelihoods of more than 50,000 households across the State, with over 70 per cent of the workforce comprising women. In Ri Bhoi alone, of the approximately 4,000 registered weavers and 3,200 registered sericulture farmers, nearly 90 per cent are women.
He informed that in 2021, Umden-Diwon was declared the State’s first Eri Silk Village, marking a turning point where Meghalaya began recognising textiles as a sunrise sector rather than merely a traditional practice.
In 2022, the Government established the Design Innovation Resource Centre, enabling the entire Ryndia value chain—from cocoon to finished cloth—to be experienced in one place by researchers, designers, and visitors.
In 2024–25, Geographical Indication (GI) recognition was secured for Ryndia and Khasi handlooms, alongside the formation of the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Organisation to hold and manage the GI.
In 2026, the Integrated Textile Tourism Complex at Ri Sai was inaugurated, bringing together craft, cuisine, culture, trade, and tourism onto a single platform.
The Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Organisation now holds the GI on behalf of the weavers who created its value.
Under the Income Generation Programme, the Department distributed looms, accessories, and yarn to 2,141 weavers in 2024–25 and to 2,448 weavers in 2025–26—an increase of 307 weavers in a single year.
Under the Cluster Development Programme of the National Handloom Development Programme, a project worth Rs 571.15 lakh is currently under implementation, of which Rs 260.35 lakh has been released as the first instalment. The project targets 981 beneficiaries and includes the provision of 300 looms along with working sheds supported at Rs 1.20 lakh each.
Since 2022–23, Meghalaya has received Rs 2,198.24 lakh under Silk Samagra-2 from the Central Silk Board, including Rs 201.61 lakh in the current year.
