CM wears eri silk shirt in Assembly to boost weavers

Shillong, March 10: Chief Minister Conrad  Sangma on Monday drew the attention of the members in the Assembly on an eri silk shirt he was wearing to promote the fabric and the weavers.

Replying to the discussion on the Budget 2024-25, the chief minister also said he would send the eri silk cloth to the Prime Minister’s Office and the other central ministers’ offices.

“This shirt that I am wearing is made from eri and this shirt again is a made in Meghalaya product. The cloth may be one of the most comfortable that I am wearing and just to share with you that this particular eri has been coloured with natural dye…I have made more than 15 shirts like these and I am wearing them regularly because they are extremely comfortable”, the chief minister said.

He, however, did not tell about the.cost of the shirts.

The chief minister said even the union education minister was so fascinated by the eri silk shirt and said, “One day I had worn this and I had gone to meet some of the ministers. The education minister Dharmendra Pradhan ji was so fascinated and he has asked me to send this eri silk cloth to him because he wants to make Kurtas and other shirts out of it.”

“I would urge the members, you must adopt this, promote this and you must use this so that not by talking but by our small action, we are able to support our weavers and our SHGs. This is a small, very powerful way to give the message,” he said.

He also mentioned about Iaishah Rymbai, who founded the Eri Weave Pvt Ltd and secured a deal of Rs 20 lakh with 12% equity in Shark Tank Indian Season 4.

“This is a strong reflection of the support we have given by creating so many jobs and livelihood activities”, he added.

When the Opposition Leader Mukul Sangma was the chief minister, he had also worn a shirt made of ramie available in Garo Hills to popularise the fabric.

Recollecting this, Mukul wanted the chief minister to promote ramie fabric too.

The chief minister agreed to the suggestion of Mukul.