Giriraj Singh inaugurates EKTA Meghalaya, boosts textile tourism and sericulture

The newly inaugurated Integrated Textile Tourism Centre (ITTC) marks a pioneering initiative by the Meghalaya Department of Textiles in partnership with the Ministry of Textiles.

Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh today inaugurated EKTA Meghalaya (Exhibition cum Knowledge Sharing for Textiles Advantage) along with the Integrated Textile Tourism Centre (ITTC) at Nongpoh, Meghalaya — a landmark development aimed at strengthening India’s eastern textile economy and spotlighting the region’s vibrant heritage. The event witnessed the presence of Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles & External Affairs; Shri Metbah Lyngdoh, Meghalaya’s State Minister for Textiles; and senior representatives from the Central Silk Board (CSB), including Member Secretary Shri P. Sivakumar.

ITTC: India’s First Immersive Textile Cultural Hub

The newly inaugurated Integrated Textile Tourism Centre (ITTC) marks a pioneering initiative by the Meghalaya Department of Textiles in partnership with the Ministry of Textiles. Conceptualised as a first-of-its-kind experiential hub, ITTC integrates:

• Craftsmanship and traditional weaving practices

• Cultural storytelling and textile heritage displays

• Skill development and artisan training programmes

• A visitor-friendly tourism experience

A central element of ITTC is its focus on Eri silk, a textile deeply rooted in Meghalaya’s indigenous ecosystems and cultural identity. Through curated exhibits, live demonstrations, and skill-transfer workshops, the centre aims to elevate Meghalaya as a global textile tourism destination.

EKTA Meghalaya: A Unified Platform for Knowledge, Markets and Innovation

Running alongside the inauguration, EKTA Meghalaya brought together multiple textile sectors — Silk, Handloom, Handicrafts, Jute, and Technical Textiles — under one collaborative platform. The Central Silk Board, in association with the state’s Department of Textiles, curated special exhibitions showcasing:

• Eri and Muga silk innovations

• Advanced sericulture technologies

• Livelihood-based textile entrepreneurship models

• Market linkage opportunities for grassroots artisans

The event encouraged inter-state collaboration, enabling artisans, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to exchange insights on supply-chain strengthening, sustainable processing, and modern design applications.

Union Ministers Highlight North-East’s Rising Textile Strength

Addressing the gathering, Shri Giriraj Singh asserted that the North-East holds enormous potential in value-added textiles, especially through Eri and Muga silk. He stressed that expanding the ecosystem around these natural fibers can significantly enhance livelihood opportunities, bolster rural incomes, and position the region as a national textile powerhouse.

Shri Pabitra Margherita, in his address, reinforced the importance of artisan empowerment, emphasising:

• Adoption of new weaving and processing technologies

• Skilling programmes tailored for youth

• Entrepreneurship-led value chains

• Meghalaya’s emerging leadership in Eri silk production

He noted that the state’s weavers are uniquely positioned to benefit from the rising global demand for sustainable, eco-friendly textiles.

CSB Outlines Roadmap for Sericulture Growth

Shri P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, detailed ongoing CSB initiatives to strengthen India’s sericulture value chain, including:

• Expansion of scientific rearing and cocoon production

• Quality upgradation for Eri and Muga fibers

• Research-driven interventions for disease control

• Market integration to ensure better price realization for farmers

He reaffirmed CSB’s commitment to scaling up natural silk production in Meghalaya and the broader North-Eastern region through technology, training, and market access.

A Landmark Step for Textile Tourism and Rural Prosperity

The inauguration marks a pivotal step in India's mission to:

• Promote textile-based tourism

• Preserve indigenous weaving traditions

• Strengthen rural textile economies

• Create national and international market pathways for artisans

Through EKTA Meghalaya and the ITTC, the government aims to position Meghalaya as a global centre for sustainable silk, while empowering communities and promoting cross-state textile innovation.