Meghalaya's Ryndia Silk and Khasi Handloom Granted GI Tag Recognition

Meghalaya’s Ryndia Silk and Khasi Handloom Receive GI Tag Recognition

The Government of India has officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to Meghalaya's Ryndia silk and Khasi handloom products, marking a major milestone for the state’s traditional textile industry. The recognition was announced by the Geographical Indications Authority, under the Intellectual Property Office, and has been officially documented on their website.

Expressing his delight, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took to social media to celebrate the achievement. "Happy to announce that Meghalaya's Ryndia silk and Khasi handloom have been recognized with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, highlighting their unique cultural heritage and craftsmanship. This is a great milestone for handloom weavers of the state who continue to preserve our vibrant indigenous weaving traditions," he tweeted.

The GI recognition applies to Ryndia, a handwoven, hand-spun, naturally dyed, organically produced, and ethically sourced fabric, along with other traditional Meghalaya handloom products. The initiative was spearheaded by the Meghalaya Department of Textiles over the past four years, with support from NABARD and technical assistance from Dr. Rajnikanth. The department played a crucial role in facilitating joint applications submitted by the Textiles Department and the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association.

The journey toward this recognition began after the official declaration of Umden-Diwon as Meghalaya’s first Eri Silk village on February 12, 2021.

As part of the final steps, a delegation led by Principal Secretary of the Department of Textiles, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, attended the Consultative GI Group meeting at the Geographical Indications Registry Office in Kolkata on November 20, 2024. The delegation included officials from the Textiles Department, representatives from the Meghalaya Ryndia Producers Association, and skilled weavers and artisans from the Silk village.