Raphael Warjri

On the heels of the successful showcasing of the State's Ryndia Handloom products at the G20 International Crafts Bazar, the Department of Textiles, Govt. of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the NEHHDC (North East Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation) launched a pilot project on "Digitalization of Handloom" products at the Umden - Diwon Eri Silk Village, today, in the presence of Shri FR Kharkongor, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Textiles, Shri. R. K. Singh, M.D of NEHHDC, representatives of prominent local Eri production houses from the Silk Village and other parts of Ri-Bhoi District, Weaver Associations, Voluntary Organization (VO), officers of Textiles Department, local village heads and the NEHHDC team at the Duya Hall, Umden-Diwon.

In his remarks, Shri. F. R, Kharkongor, IAS Commissioner & Secretary underscored the urgent need and importance of blending technology and tradition, right from Loom to Home and from Thread to Trend. He mentioned that recently, he had received messages from Delhi, that there were some non-local entrepreneurs who were fraudulently marketing imitation non handmade and non-organic Meghalaya Eri (Ryndia) peace silk in Delhi and charging high rates ranging from 19,500 to 24,000/- rates they charged & claimed on the basis  that they were selling Meghalaya's famous ethically sourced, organically produced naturally dyed & gender driven Ryndia stoles at a very steep rate. 

He highlighted that with the introduction of this Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven technology, QR Codes will now be woven into fabric to carry information about the authenticity of the unique handloom products of the state in general and the Eri Silk Village in particular, which will authenticate this special product. He welcomed the prompt collaboration of the NEHHDC as a technological partner in rolling out this project through the IOT (Internet of Things) device in local handlooms that will generate QR Codes, which will contribute towards facilitating efficient traceability, and empower customers with the knowledge of the product origin. This traceability will contribute towards authenticity as it will capture the product's journey right form Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric and Fabric to Fashion. Simultaneously, the weavers and the local designers also stand to benefit through the digital traceability enabled by Technology, as they would be in a position to charge a higher premium for their artistically designed handwoven products, which are known the world over as being natural, eco-friendly and gender driven.The technology will also amplify the reputation of handloom products originating from the Silk village in particular & the state in general

Mr RK Singh M.D, NEHHDC in his remarks also actively  welcomed the technology driven collaboration with the Department of Textiles and highlighted that they had an ambitious target of covering more than 10,000 looms across the region. 

He also stated that once a buyer scans the QR Code, he will get to know about the origin of the product, type of yarn along with a small video, the buyer can see how the product was woven and where it was woven. This traceability feature while also authenticating the inherent unique and superior quality of Meghalaya's handloom product will provide wider recognition of the skill and dexterity of its nimble women weavers. The M.D also made a mention that only recently the Hon'ble P.M Shri. Narendra Modi, interacted with a Meghalaya weaver at the NEvolution event and was greatly impressed with the technology and its technological benefit to the weaving community. 

He further indicated that the NEHHDC with this launch and in collaboration with the Department of Textiles will further adopt another 500 weavers in Meghalaya with a focus on the Silk
Village through its project - "Market Development Through Digitalization, Authentication and Traceability implementation in the Handloom Sector" which will further enhance the reputation of Ryndia across the region and the country and even at international levels. He noted that the Silk village has all the ingredients of a potential “ niche handloom export hub “

Other speakers included the P .Tmung , President of the Ryndia Growers Association, I Rymbai Eri Weaves entrepreneur, who is a beneficiary of this technology, Iba Mallai ,Proprietor of  KINIHO, &
prominent local production house from the Eri Silk Village. 
This was followed by a detailed technical presentation cum demonstration and awareness of the pioneering digitalization initiatives being undertaken by the technical team of NEHHDC, which is set to benefit the weavers of the Eri Silk Village in the first phase followed by weavers across the state.

Prior to the above programme the teams undertook a visit of the DIRC (Design Innovation Resource Centre) setup by the Department of Textiles, at the Eri Silk Village, which showcases the entire value chain of Ryndia and also educates the visitors & researchers on various ecodriven practises such as natural dyes, organic sourcing of product, design pattern and various other ethical practises,