A total of 950 Republic Day invitation kits highlighting the traditional crafts of the North East have been handed over to the President’s House, showcasing the region’s rich artisanal heritage. The kits were created over a period of 45 days through the efforts of more than 350 contributors, including around 200 local artisans and nearly 150 faculty members, staff, alumni, and students from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.

Each invitation kit features a range of traditional crafts from the eight states of the North East, including handloom textiles, bamboo weaving, Shugu Sheng paper, black pottery, Puan Chi shawls, Tangkhul pottery, and Gogona bamboo musical instruments. The kits also incorporate octagonal weaving patterns using three-colour threads, reflecting backstrap loom techniques traditionally practiced by women artisans. Bamboo mats used in the kits underline the region’s emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

Distinct elements from each state have been highlighted. These include Kanchenjunga embroidery from Sikkim, bamboo roofing models inspired by Meghalaya’s rain protection techniques, Shugu Sheng paper from Arunachal Pradesh shaped like the Mithun bull, bamboo Gogona instruments from Assam, decorative bamboo items from Tripura, Puan Chi shawls from Mizoram, and black pottery from Manipur depicting the Shirui Lily.

Professor Andrea Noronha of NID Ahmedabad said the objective was to represent the diversity of North Eastern craft traditions while maintaining quality, aesthetic balance, and the use of seasonally available materials. She noted that artisans sourced materials locally from their villages, while NID coordinated the design, assembly, and quality control of the kits.

The initiative brings together design education and indigenous craftsmanship, aiming to promote cultural diversity, support local artisan communities, and present North Eastern crafts on a national platform during the Republic Day celebrations.