There is a need for collective will and responsibility to ensure that Meghalaya’s rich tradition of handlooms continues further into the 21st century, Textiles Minister Paul Lyngdoh said today.
He was speaking at the celebration of National Handloom Day 2024 here where he was the chief guest. An international textiles expert from Scotland, Anna Louise Meynell and Commissioner and Secretary of Arts and Culture Frederick Roy Kharkongor were also present.
In his address, Lyngdoh called on the need for collective responsibility from all stakeholders in optimising the exceptional talent of the state’s weavers and encouraging third-generation weavers present to continue their ancestral tradition.
Lyngdoh highlighted the global appreciation of Meghalaya’s handloom products and urged weavers to innovate and compete in the international market.
The event featured the launch of the Meghalaya Textile Directory-cum-Textiles Atlas and the department’s e-portal, as well as fashion shows by students of KL Bajoria College and designer Daniel Syiem.
The Department of Textile and Apparel Designing at the College of Community Science, in Tura also observed the day. Its event also marked the inauguration of the ICAR NINFET training programme on ‘Strengthening livelihood opportunities for farmers in the Garo Hills through the processing and value addition of non-conventional fibers, specifically banana pseudostem fibre.’
The event saw the participation of handloom weavers and entrepreneurs from West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.
To encourage weavers for their efforts in keeping their age-old craft alive, four prominent weavers- Elasha Sangma, Nillima R Marak, Benchie G Momin and Florich R Marak from West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts – were felicitated during the programme.
