Efforts are on to get a geological indication tag for Ryndia from Meghalaya, Commissioner and Secretary of Textiles Frederick Kharkongor said that the initiative by the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association is at the hearing stage now.
Talking to reporters, Kharkongor said the Association has submitted all the related documents to substantiate the claim over Ryndia.
“We have already collated all our documents; it is at the hearing stage now by the authorities concern by the GI authorities so it is at the hearing stage,” the official said.
“ From the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association they have submitted all the documents right from British days to the present and it is at the hearing stage,” he added.
Ryndia holds a special place as Ri Bhoi district has emerged as a vital eri silk centre with the Umden-Diwon cluster of villages set up as the hub of eri silk production in the state.
The Garo Hills is known for the best quality eri cocoons and almost every household has all the equipment to produce yarn and weave eri cloth.
Ryndia silk is an exclusive heirloom and traditional fabric of Meghalaya whose fibres come from the cocoon of the domesticated eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini.
This variety of silk is a favourite of both men and women, especially on festive occasions. While women look elegant in checked thohriaw stem wraparounds, men flaunt ryndia shawls and turbans during festivals.
However, to further authenticate the original Ryndia products in the market, the department launched a pilot project on the “Digitalization of Handloom” products at the Umden – Diwon Eri Silk Village.
Along with North East Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC), the department has launched QR Coding for Ryndia.
“We have launched along with North East Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC) QR Coding for Ryndia. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables QR Codes machines which will be tagged to the looms so that it will help in the traceability of the authenticity of the product,” the Commissioner and Secretary said.