New Delhi, February 17 : The Meghalaya Department of Textiles has been awarded a Special Award under the Textiles Sustainability Awards by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industries (CITI). The award was presented at the Bharat Tex Global Textiles Expo 2025, organized by the Department of Textiles, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The CITI jury, impressed by the Department’s remarkable efforts towards Textile Heritage Revival, bestowed the “Textiles Heritage Reviver Award” upon Meghalaya. This award recognizes individuals and organizations for initiatives that drive the revival of indigenous textile heritage, promote sustainability, foster innovation, and empower communities through impactful contributions to the sector.
Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Textiles Department Meghalaya, received the Special Award on behalf of the state &Department, from Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State, Textiles, Govt. of India, senior officials of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Chairman CITI & other dignitaries on February 17th as part of the CITI Textiles Sustainability Awards 2024-25 at the Bharat Mandapam, on the concluding day of the second edition of the Bharat Tex Global Textiles Expo 2025. The other highlights of the program included a showcasing of best practises of the awardees and Earth loom -Threads of Heritage – a fashion show case celebrating the sustainable heritage weaves of India and collections by designers from across the country including Meghalaya.
Amongst the initiatives taken by the Textiles Department since 2019, highlights include the official declaration & recognition of the Umden -Diwon village in Ri Bhoi district as Meghalaya’s first ERI Silk village in 2021, setting up of the Design Innovation Research Centre, (DIRC) in 2022,which showcases the entire value chain of Ryndia from farm to fibre, fibre to fabric ,fabric to fashion to visitors, developing the Ryndiabrand , pushing for GI tag for Ryndia ,setting up of Eri Corner at Megh Tex , availing Silk Samagra program to support Eri farmers, steering the ongoing execution of the iconic & upcoming Integrated Textile Tourism Project in Nongpoh, developing an e portal on Ryndia , supporting handloom cluster level programs, training & capacity building on new designs , documentation through Woven Narratives , showcasing indigenous weaves at National & international exhibitions , Dubai Expo, International Sericulture Commission,(ISC) Romana, Silk in Lyon, France 2022, G20 Craft Bazar, Italy , Vietnam 2023, Bharat Tex Global Expo 2024 & from time to time, supporting local production houses & designers cum entrepreneurs to participate & showcase their designs , creating wider visibility for the state ‘s indigenous weaves which are handspun, handwoven , eco friendly , naturally dyed, women driven , ethically sourced and organically produced right from thread to trend.
The Department along with like minded stake holders and creative partners continues to support activities & programs that encourage & develop the state’s signature Handloom Ryndia, besides other indigenous silks &weaves that aligns closely with the active promotion of the state’s textile sector, which continues to stand as a testament of cultural preservation, economic opportunity, and a robust narrative of the enduring spirit & skilful resilience of it’s women artisans & weavers.
