New Delhi, July 22, 2025 – Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Tuesday underscored the immense potential of the Northeast to lead India’s textile and sustainable fashion sector, during a high-level task force meeting focused on strengthening the handloom and handicrafts ecosystem.
The meeting, chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, saw participation from Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, Mizoram Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma, Assam’s Handloom & Textiles Minister Shri Urkhao Gwra Brahma, and senior officials from the Ministry of DoNER, the Government of India, and representatives from multiple northeastern states.
Shri Scindia hailed the region’s rich legacy of eco-friendly practices and artisanal excellence, calling for a green transformation aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Fashion for Environment and Empowerment.” He stated,
“The Northeast must leverage its heritage in handlooms and handicrafts to generate sustainable livelihoods, foster innovation, and showcase India’s cultural legacy on a global platform.”
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh echoed this commitment, assuring that the Ministry of Textiles would implement the suggestions from the meeting in full coordination with the states to elevate Northeast India’s artistry and artisans to global recognition.
Key Agenda & Vision of the Meeting:
The task force laid out a clear roadmap to rejuvenate the region’s traditional sectors through:
-
Market expansion via digital integration and modern marketing tools.
-
Infrastructure development, including artisan clusters and Common Facility Centres.
-
Capacity building programs for local artisans and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
-
Flagship product identification and branding initiatives for national and international promotion.
-
Value chain development, focused on a bottom-up approach to empower local producers and craftspeople.
The strategic plan also aims to align products with global standards, making them more competitive in both domestic and international markets, while ensuring that artisan communities are included in India’s broader development narrative.
Shri Scindia emphasized that the textiles sector can become a cornerstone of inclusive growth in the Northeast, blending tradition with technology to unlock new opportunities in sustainable fashion and rural empowerment.
Source: PIB
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network
