Meghalaya identifies 11 new arts and craft villages to preserve heritage
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the initiative during a festival in Shillong to support traditional livelihoods and indigenous knowledge.
Meghalaya has identified 11 Arts and Craft Villages to preserve indigenous heritage and support traditional livelihoods, according to a report by Urban Acres. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the measures on Tuesday during the state-level Living Heritage Arts and Craft Village Festival in Shillong.
The festival, held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, aimed to create platforms for artisans. Sangma said preserving cultural heritage requires sustained intervention by the government and the public to pass on traditional skills and indigenous knowledge to future generations.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the House of Ryndia, a platform designed to promote the state's indigenous textiles. This facility will showcase the work of local weavers, entrepreneurs, and self-help groups to connect their craftsmanship with wider markets.
Additionally, Sangma inaugurated the renovated state central library at the auditorium premises. Modernised under the National Mission of Libraries by the Union Ministry of Culture, the facility now includes a children's section, archives, and a Knowledge Corner for students preparing for competitive examinations.
The state government's next steps include implementing the Arts and Craft Village initiative and using the new facilities to support heritage, education, and local enterprise.