Shillong, Feb 12: It’s the age of new Meghalaya, a fast developing state, as the state government today inaugurated the first Eri Silk Village. Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh attended the inaugural function as the chief guest in presence of FR kharkongor beside others.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma announced that the village of Umden-Diwon was declared as the state’s first Eri Silk Village.
He further added that this came as a recognition of the overall collective and unique achievements and initiative of the community, to inspire weavers & spinners & enable it to further develop into a vibrant “AtmaNirbhar village.”
The Chief Minister took to Twitter to make the announcement. He wrote, “Today, Umden-Diwon village is declared as #Meghalaya’s 1st #EriSilkVillage, in recognition of the overall collective & unique achievements & initiative of the community, to inspire weavers & spinners & enable it to further develop into a vibrant #AtmaNirbhar village.”
Today, Umden-Diwon village is declared as #Meghalaya‘s 1st #EriSilkVillage, in recognition of the overall collective & unique achievements & initiative of the community, to inspire weavers & spinners & enable it to further develop into a vibrant #AtmaNirbhar village@smritiirani pic.twitter.com/GbJE9QlGbi
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 12, 2021
In collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Technology, a Design Resource Centre set up to provide unique branding and identity to the village by depicting the speciality of the region, in terms of colour, motif, usage and looms.
Umden-Diwon has emerged as the epicentre of Eri culture in the state, with over 70 per cent of full-time active weavers. The village has made a name for itself for their ‘Ahimsa Peace Silk’.
The ‘Ahimsa’ silk is processed from cocoons without killing the larvae inside, besides inherent thermal properties which makes it feel cool in summers and warm in winters.
Another added attraction is that the Eri Silk fabrics, locally known as the Ryndia, are exclusively hand-woven with organic and natural dyes.
