Meghalaya’s vibrant weaving heritage took centre stage on Thursday as the state celebrated National Handloom Day with a proud focus on two of its most treasured traditional crafts—Ryndia and Khasi handloom—both of which have now been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
The celebration, organised by the Department of Textiles, Government of Meghalaya, was held in Shillong and brought together weavers, artisans, officials, and cultural enthusiasts. The GI tag is a legal recognition that protects and promotes products with unique qualities tied to their place of origin. For Ryndia and Khasi handloom, this means national and international recognition for their cultural and historical value, as well as potential economic growth for the artisans who create them.
Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, who attended the programme as Chief Guest, described the achievement as a collective moment of pride. “This recognition reaffirms our rich cultural identity and showcases the strength of our heritage. Over 40,000 farmers and more than 42,000 individuals—most of them women—are engaged in the handloom sector in Meghalaya,” he said. The Governor also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appreciation for Ryndia silk, noting its exclusivity to Meghalaya.
Textiles Minister Paul Lyngdoh lauded the development as a milestone for the state’s indigenous products. “The GI tag has taken our community weavers and their creations to a new level of recognition. What was once seen as a small department is now at the forefront of the state’s identity,” he said. The Minister credited Dr. Rajanikant for his pivotal role in achieving the GI status and highlighted the growing visibility of Meghalaya’s textiles in national forums, including the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat.
The day also saw the launch of “KHNENG – Woven with Heritage, Worn with Pride,” a dedicated website to promote Khasi and Ryndia weaving traditions, along with the unveiling of a new publication titled Looms to Legacy. Several artisans were presented with the State Handloom Awards for their outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting traditional weaving.