In a major boost to Meghalaya’s traditional textile sector, the state government is set to establish a dedicated Textiles Hub in Nongpoh, aimed at promoting inclusivity and providing a central platform for weavers and artisans. The announcement came alongside a momentous achievement for the state — the prized Ryndia fabric has officially secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
“It is very good, welcome news for our weavers, artisans, and the entire Department of Textiles,” Textiles Minister Paul Lyngdoh said on Friday, hailing the development as a landmark victory. “After four years of unrelenting work and support from the Weavers Association, we finally managed to get the GI tag for our Ryndia. This is a huge victory for Meghalaya’s textile industry,” he remarked.
Shedding light on the upcoming Textiles Hub in Nongpoh, Lyngdoh said it would serve as a vibrant space for creativity, commerce, and cultural preservation. “Inside the hub itself, there will be a plethora of textile-related activities, including spaces for weavers and artisans to showcase their products. Visitors will also get to witness live demonstrations of colouring and dyeing processes,” he explained.
To further strengthen the ecosystem, Lyngdoh revealed plans to collaborate with reputed players in the textile industry while rolling out government-backed schemes to transform more villages into weaving hubs. “We are taking the industry to an entirely new level, with measures to support weavers as individuals and societies,” he assured.