Meghalaya’s Commerce and Industries Department in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Shillong has launched a six-day executive training programme focused on ‘Textile Heritage and Business Acumen’.
This initiative was conducted under the central government’s Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme. It aims to equip weavers and artisans from the handloom sector with essential business skills to enhance their economic productivity.
The inaugural function was held today at NIFT Shillong’s permanent campus in Umsawli. M Wanshnong, Joint Director of the Directorate of Commerce and Industries, was the chief guest. He was joined by A Malngiang, General Manager of the District Commerce and Industries Centre East Khasi Hills.
A handbook titled ‘Simple Weaves for Handloom’, authored by Unsanhame Mawkhlieng, the project coordinator, was released at the start of the function.
Shashank Dash, State Project Lead of the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), provided insights into the RAMP scheme and its focus areas. He highlighted the significance of this inaugural programme, noting that it is the first of its kind in Meghalaya, a state where textile traditions hold deep cultural and economic importance.
In his welcome address, Shankar Kumar Jha, Director NIFT, emphasised the value of institutional collaborations in empowering traditional artisans and encouraged participants to engage fully with the training to derive maximum benefit.
The first batch of 25 participants will undergo training from June 16 to June 21, followed by a second batch of another 25 scheduled from June 30 to July 5.
