Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said the state government is working to integrate the state’s traditional handloom sector with modern design, entrepreneurship and global market access while preserving its indigenous tribal heritage.
Addressing the inaugural function of the three-day celebration of the 12th National Handloom Day at the DK Convention Centre, Khandu said handloom is not merely a livelihood activity but also the cultural identity and living heritage of the indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
“Every woven fabric of Arunachal tells the story of our people, our traditions and our identity. Our handloom sector has the potential to become a major driver of rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
On the state’s weaving tradition, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh has more than 32,000 handloom weavers, the majority of whom are women, making the sector one of the largest sources of livelihood for rural households.
He said the government has been strengthening the handloom ecosystem through improved infrastructure, skill development, design innovation, marketing support and entrepreneurship promotion.
According to the Chief Minister, the government has established Common Facility Centres (CFCs), upgraded weaving infrastructure and introduced modern equipment to improve productivity while maintaining the authenticity of traditional designs.
Weavers are also being trained in contemporary design techniques, natural dyeing, quality improvement and product diversification to enable them to compete in national and international markets.
Khandu said various state and Central government schemes are providing financial assistance, raw materials, modern looms and marketing support to weavers and artisan groups across Arunachal Pradesh.
Urging young entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the handloom and handicrafts sector, he called for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern branding, digital marketing and e-commerce platforms.
Emphasising the role of women in preserving Arunachal Pradesh’s textile traditions, Khandu said handloom has long served as an instrument of women’s empowerment.
“Our women have preserved our heritage through handloom for centuries. It is now our responsibility to ensure that this heritage also provides sustainable income and economic independence,” he said.
The Chief Minister called for greater collaboration among government departments, designers, educational institutions, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives and private entrepreneurs to develop Arunachal Pradesh’s handloom products into globally recognised brands.
He also stressed the need for innovation without compromising the originality of indigenous designs, saying value addition and quality enhancement would enable local products to access premium domestic and international markets.
Khandu also spoke about the importance of Geographical Indication (GI) registration in protecting and promoting the state’s indigenous textile heritage.
He said several traditional textile products from Arunachal Pradesh have either secured or are in the process of securing GI tags, which would enhance their authenticity, protect traditional knowledge and improve their market value in national and international markets.
He said GI certification would preserve the unique weaving traditions of different tribes while enabling artisans and weavers to command premium prices for their products and preventing the imitation and misuse of indigenous designs.
Speaking on the potential of sericulture, Khandu described it as a natural extension of Arunachal Pradesh’s handloom ecosystem and a sector capable of generating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
He said the state has favourable climatic conditions for producing Eri, Muga, Mulberry and Oak Tasar silk, making it one of the few regions in the country capable of producing all four commercially important varieties of silk.
He said strengthening the entire sericulture value chain through host plant cultivation, silkworm rearing, reeling, spinning and weaving would not only raise rural incomes but also provide high-quality raw materials for the state’s growing handloom industry.
Khandu also called for greater convergence among the handloom, textiles and sericulture sectors to promote value addition, branding and market linkages. He expressed confidence that, with continued government support, technological intervention and the active participation of artisans and entrepreneurs, Arunachal Pradesh can emerge as one of India’s leading handloom destinations.
During the programme, the Chief Minister launched the Department of Textiles & Handicrafts website, the Artisan Data Bank and Atii – Arunachal Honey. He also felicitated outstanding weavers and artisans and distributed SAMARTH certificates and Yarn Pass Books.
The inaugural programme was attended by ministers, legislators, senior government officials, representatives of the handloom sector, master weavers, artisans, Self-Help Groups and other stakeholders from across the state.