Shillong, Feb 18: The Department of Textiles, Meghalaya, was awarded a special recognition under the Textiles Sustainability Awards by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industries (CITI) at the Bharat Tex 2025 Global Textiles Expo held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The award honors the department’s outstanding efforts in the revival of indigenous textile heritage and its contributions to sustainability and innovation in the textile sector.

Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Principal Secretary of the Department of Textiles, Meghalaya, accepted the award on behalf of the state from Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for Textiles, during the event on February 17. The recognition highlights the department’s efforts to drive the revival of traditional textiles while empowering local communities, promoting sustainability, and fostering innovation.

Since 2019, the department has initiated several key projects, including the recognition of Umden-Diwon village as Meghalaya’s first Eri Silk village, the establishment of the Design Innovation Research Centre (DIRC), and the promotion of the Ryndia brand. Additionally, the department has been active in supporting local handloom clusters, training artisans, and showcasing Meghalaya’s textiles at prominent international platforms such as the Dubai Expo and G20 Craft Bazaar.

This award underscores the department’s ongoing commitment to preserving Meghalaya’s textile heritage while creating economic opportunities for women artisans and weavers.