Scindia Leads NE Handloom Task Force Meet in Nagaland

Union MinisterJyotiraditya Scindia, alongside top leaders and officials, led a pivotal task force meeting to strengthen the Northeast’s handloom and handicrafts sector, positioning it as the heart of India’s sustainable and inclusive fashion revolution.

Highlights:

• Jyotiraditya Scindia attended a high-level task force meeting on July 22, 2025.
• The meeting was chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and attended by key ministers and senior officials.
• Emphasis on Northeast’s role in ‘Fashion for Environment and Empowerment’.
• The Ministry of Textiles pledges close collaboration with Northeastern states.
• Plans include artisan clusters, skill development, and digital integration.
• Goal: Boost livelihoods and position NE crafts globally.

On July 22, 2025, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, took part in a high-level task force meeting focused on revitalizing the handloom and handicrafts sector across the Northeast. The strategic meeting, chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, brought together a distinguished group including Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, Mizoram Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma, Assam’s Minister for Handloom & Textiles Urkhao Gwra Brahma, senior MDoNER officials, and representatives from Manipur and the Government of India.

During the discussion, Shri Scindia emphasized the Northeast’s tremendous potential to drive India’s ‘Fashion for Environment and Empowerment’ mission—a vision laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Citing the region’s eco-conscious traditions and intricate craftsmanship, he called for leveraging this heritage to promote innovation, create livelihoods, and make India a global hub of green and inclusive fashion.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh expressed the Ministry of Textiles’ full commitment to implementing ideas shared by the Northeastern states, ensuring their unique arts and crafts receive global recognition and market access.

The meeting focused on strengthening the Handlooms and Handicrafts ecosystem through improved market access, technology adoption, infrastructure development, and skill enhancement. Key initiatives announced include:

• Creation of artisan clusters and Common Facility Centres
• Identification and promotion of flagship products from each state
• Skill development programs aligned with global standards
• Integration of digital tools and design innovation
• Empowering Self-Help Groups and fostering bottom-up value chains

This collaborative roadmap seeks to transform the sector into a key pillar of sustainable development and inclusive progress, ensuring the cultural legacy of the Northeast finds its rightful place on both national and international platforms.