NEHHDC and Pearl Academy Collaborate to Empower Artisans of Northeast India

NEHHDC and Pearl Academy Collaborate to Empower Artisans of Northeast India

The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pearl Academy to promote and preserve the rich cultural and craft heritage of Northeast India. The partnership was formalized during the recently concluded Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam.

According to NEHHDC, this collaboration aims to drive innovation, empower artisans, and create enhanced market opportunities for the traditional crafts of the region. Brigadier (Retd.) Rajiv Kumar Singh, Managing Director of NEHHDC, and Aditi Srivastava, President of Pearl Academy, signed the MoU during the three-day festival that celebrated the vibrant cultural heritage of Northeast India.

Speaking about the partnership, Brigadier Singh (MD of NEHHDC) emphasized the potential of the region, stating, “Northeast India has immense potential; it's just a matter of providing the right platform and exposure. This collaboration will create many opportunities for designers and entrepreneurs to benefit from this wonderful partnership.”

Aditi Srivastava of Pearl Academy expressed her commitment to taking Northeast India's crafts to global platforms. "It’s not just about showcasing the region’s crafts in India, but also ensuring their global recognition through platforms like the Fashion Design Council of India and London Fashion Week,” she said.

As part of this initiative, Pearl Academy has established the North East Cell (N.T.C.T. - Nurturing Tradition. Crafting Tomorrow), a hub for collaboration, innovation, and empowerment. The cell is dedicated to increasing the visibility of northeastern crafts on both national and international stages.

Pearl Academy, a leading institute in Design, Fashion, Business, and Media education, with campuses in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, will provide mentorship and expertise to northeastern artisans and weavers. Through this partnership, the artisans will have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best minds in design and innovation, unlocking new horizons for their craft.

The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, held from December 6 to 8, showcased the diverse arts, crafts, and cultural practices of the eight northeastern states. The event also featured handwoven textiles, organic produce, traditional cuisine, music, folk dances, and other cultural treasures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, highlighting its significance as a celebration of the region’s unique legacy.

The inaugural edition of the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav concluded successfully on Sunday, celebrating the vibrant diversity and cultural richness of Northeast India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the event as the chief guest during its inaugural session on Friday evening. The festival brought together the eight northeastern states, each showcasing their unique heritage through handwoven textiles, organic produce, traditional cuisine, music, art, folk dances, and cultural traditions, offering a vivid tapestry of the region's treasures.