**Executive Summary**
On May 17, 2026, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) visited Kota to explore the feasibility of blending North Eastern Eri silk with Rajasthan’s Kota Doria fabric. This initiative aims to develop a premium textile for global markets, directly supporting the Prime Minister’s 5F Vision and the "Make in India" mission. A forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will formalize the framework for artisan training, design development, and international market linkages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Textile Fusion**
* The initiative proposes blending Eri silk—a "peace silk" known for its warmth and durability—with Kota Doria, a GI-tagged fabric recognized for its light, transparent weave and check patterns.
* The goal is to create a distinctive, premium-grade textile that appeals to both domestic and international contemporary fashion sensibilities.
* Delegates from DoNER and the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) visited the Kaithoon Common Facility Centre (CFC) to assess production feasibility.
**Institutional Collaboration**
* A formal MoU is expected between NEHHDC and the District Industries Centre (DIC), Government of Rajasthan.
* The partnership will establish an institutional framework for joint design development and market linkage support.
* The collaboration will provide technical training for artisans in both regions to facilitate the production of the new blended fabric.
**Alignment with National Missions**
* **5F Vision:** The project traverses the entire continuum of "Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign."
* **Make in India:** The initiative champions indigenous craftsmanship and aims to position India’s handloom sector as a globally competitive force.
* **Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat:** The fusion promotes cultural and economic integration between the North East and Northern India.
**Impact Analysis**
**Artisans and Weavers (North East and Rajasthan)**
**Impact**
The project creates new livelihood opportunities and provides a platform for regional craftsmen to access premium global markets.
**Action Required**
Engage in specialized training programs and collaborate on joint design developments to master the production of the blended textile.
**NEHHDC and District Industries Centre (DIC) Rajasthan**
**Impact**
These bodies will serve as the primary institutional drivers for the regional economic linkage and textile innovation.
**Action Required**
Formalize the MoU and establish the logistical and training frameworks necessary to support the value chain from silk sourcing to final export.
**Indian Handloom Sector and Fashion Designers**
**Impact**
The sector gains a unique, ethically produced, and high-value product, enhancing India's handloom exports on the global stage.
**Action Required**
Designers must work with artisans to integrate the new fabric into contemporary fashion lines targeting premium market segments.
Key Entities Referenced
Prime Minister's 5F Vision: A transformative framework encompassing Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign to create an integrated textile value chain.
Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER): The primary central ministry driving the initiative to create economic linkages through the fusion of regional textiles.
North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC): The key implementing agency responsible for executing the initiative and formalizing the collaboration via a Memorandum of Understanding.
Make in India Mission: A national program aimed at championing indigenous craftsmanship and boosting domestic manufacturing to make the handloom sector globally competitive.
Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat: A government initiative focused on promoting cultural integration and driving the economic empowerment of artisans across different Indian regions.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Ministry of DoNER Explores Fusion of North-
East's Eri Silk with Kota Doria to Create Premium
Fabric
Initiative Embodies Prime Minister's 5F Vision and Make in
India Mission
Posted On: 17 MAY 2026 7:30PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards fostering economic linkages between the North East Region and Rajasthan's
iconic textile heritage, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
(DoNER), along with Shri Piyush Samaria, District Collector, Kota, and Shri Mara Kocho, representing
the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), visited the
Kaithoon Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Kota on May 17, 2026.
The purpose of the visit was to explore the feasibility of blending Eri silk — a prized, peace silk native to
the North Eastern Region — with the world-renowned Kota Doria fabric, traditionally crafted at Kaithoon.
The proposed fusion aims to develop a distinctive, premium-grade textile that uniquely combines the soft,
luxurious texture of Eri silk with the characteristic lightness and transparent weave of Kota Doria,
targeting premium market positioning both domestically and internationally.
High-Level Engagement with Lok Sabha Speaker
During the visit, the delegation called upon Shri Om Birla, Hon'ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, at his
residence in Kota. The team, accompanied by select fashion designers from Kota, apprised the Speaker of
the innovative textile fusion proposal and its potential to create new livelihood opportunities for artisans of
both regions while elevating India's handloom exports on the global stage.Formal MoU on the Horizon
The initiative is expected to be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
NEHHDC and the District Industries Centre (DIC), Government of Rajasthan. The MoU will establish the
institutional framework for collaboration, including joint design development, artisan training, and market
linkage support.
Significance of the Initiative
Eri silk, known for its warmth, durability, and ethical production, is a flagship product of the North
Eastern Region. Its fusion with Kota Doria — a GI-tagged fabric celebrated for its distinctive check
patterns and breathability — is expected to produce a one-of-a-kind fabric that speaks to both heritage and
contemporary fashion sensibilities.
Aligned with Hon'ble Prime Minister's Vision
This initiative is a direct embodiment of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's transformative 5F
Vision — Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign — which envisions
an integrated, end-to-end value chain that connects Indian farmers and artisans to global markets. By
sourcing Eri silk from the farms and forests of the North East and transforming it into a premium fashion
fabric at Kaithoon for export to the world, this collaboration traverses the entire 5F continuum.
The initiative also resonates strongly with the Make in India mission, championing indigenous
craftsmanship, boosting domestic manufacturing, and positioning India's handloom sector as a globally
competitive force. The fusion of two distinct regional textile traditions — Eri silk from the North East and
Kota Doria from Rajasthan — is a testament to India's rich and diverse textile heritage being harnessed for
modern, premium markets.This initiative further aligns with the Government of India's vision of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,"
promoting cultural integration while driving the economic empowerment of weavers and artisans across
regions.***
PS
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