Meghalaya wins CITI Textiles Sustainability Award 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 17, 2025

Department of Textiles, Meghalaya has been awarded & recognised with a special award under the Textiles Sustainability Awards by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industries (CITI) coinciding with Bharat Tex 2025 Global Textiles Expo, organized by the Department of Textiles, being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi with a focus on Textiles, Sustainability & Fashion.

It was informed by the Secretary General of CITI, that the jury was “highly impressed with the remarkable efforts of the Department of Textiles, Meghalaya towards Textile Heritage Revival”. As conveyed by CITI, the Textiles Heritage Reviver Award by CITI – Alekh honours individuals and organisations towards” initiatives taken for driving the revival of indigenous textile heritage, promoting sustainability, fostering innovation & empowering communities thorough 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 Ryndia brand, 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, ecofriendly, naturally dyed, women driven, ethically sourced and  organically produced right  from thread to trend.

The Department along with likeminded 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 its women artisans & weavers.