In a significant push for the region's traditional crafts and economic development, Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated a new Integrated Textile & Tourism Centre in Meghalaya on Saturday. The launch event, held in Nongpoh within the Ri-Bhoi district, also marked the opening of the EKTA Meghalaya exhibition, a platform dedicated to knowledge sharing for the textiles sector.
Boosting the Textile Ecosystem in the Northeast
During the inauguration, Minister Singh underscored the central government's firm commitment to constructing a robust textile and sericulture ecosystem across the Northeastern states. He announced a pivotal new initiative: the establishment of a dedicated Weavers' Service Centre within Meghalaya. Singh pointed to the existing centre in Guwahati, which serves as a crucial hub providing technical and design assistance to weavers, noting it is currently the only one in the entire region.
"Right now, we have only one such centre in the region. I will now set up one in every state — starting from Meghalaya, once land is allotted by the state government," the Union Minister declared. This move is aimed at decentralizing support and bringing essential resources closer to the artisan communities.
Pride of India's Textile Heritage
Singh passionately highlighted the Northeastern region's unparalleled contribution to the nation's textile legacy. He described it as the land of Muga, Eri, and traditional weaving excellence. The minister emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is focused on strengthening every single link of the textile value chain in this region. The vision encompasses the entire journey, from cocoon to global markets, ensuring that local weavers and sericulture farmers can maximize their benefits and reach wider audiences.
A Confluence of Textiles and Tourism
The newly inaugurated Integrated Textile & Tourism Centre in Nongpoh represents a strategic fusion of two key sectors. It is designed not only to promote and produce the state's renowned handloom products but also to attract tourists, offering them an immersive experience into Meghalaya's rich weaving culture. The concurrent EKTA Meghalaya (Exhibition cum Knowledge Sharing for Textiles Advantage) event serves as a forum for stakeholders to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and explore new market opportunities.
This development is expected to generate local employment, empower women weavers, and preserve the intricate textile traditions of the tribes in Meghalaya and the broader Northeast. The commitment to open a Weavers' Service Centre in the state, pending land allocation, is seen as a direct response to the community's need for sustained technical backing and design modernization to keep the heritage alive and commercially viable.
