The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and Pearl Academy have entered into a landmark partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd), Managing Director of NEHHDC, and Ms. Aditi Srivastava, President of Pearl Academy, officially signed the MOU, marking a significant step toward preserving and promoting the rich cultural and craft heritage of Northeast India through innovation, empowerment, and enhanced market opportunities.
The MOU signing took place at NewDelhi on the sidelines of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024, a three-day cultural festival celebrating the eight states of Northeast India, inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on December 6, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, held from December 6 to 8, showcased the vibrant cultural heritage of the Northeast, highlighting its traditional arts, crafts, and cultural practices.
During the occasion, Brigadier Singh highlighted the tremendous potential of Northeast India’s artisans. He emphasized that this partnership will allow weavers and designers from the region to collaborate under the mentorship of Pearl Academy’s top experts, thus opening new horizons for the future. “Northeast India has immense potential; it’s just a matter of providing the right platform and exposure,” said Brigadier Singh. “This collaboration will create many opportunities for designers and entrepreneurs to benefit from this wonderful partnership.”
Ms. Aditi Srivastava, President of Pearl Academy, remarked, “This is a legacy we are creating, and it aligns with Pearl Academy’s inherent commitment to supporting crafts and artisans across the country. We are pleased to extend this support to Northeast India.” She further added, “It’s not just about bringing the region’s crafts to the forefront in India, but also taking them global—especially through Pearl Academy’s associations with platforms like the Fashion Design Council of India, London Fashion Week, and many others.”
NEHHDC, under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER),Government of India, is committed to advancing the crafts of Northeast India by connecting artisans with potential markets, thereby enhancing their economic well-being while preserving their traditional skills.
Pearl Academy, a leading institution known for its expertise in Design, Fashion, Business, and Media education, empowers creative minds through innovative programs. With campuses in Delhi-West, Delhi-South, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, it has significantly contributed to India’s creative industries.
To further this collaboration, Pearl Academy has established the North East Cell (N.T.C.T – Nurturing Tradition. Crafting Tomorrow – A Hub for Collaboration, Innovation, and Empowerment), which will act as a dynamic platform for collaboration between NEHHDC and Pearl Academy. The N.T.C.T cell aims to enhance the visibility of Northeast crafts on national and international stages, facilitate knowledge exchange and skill development for artisans through workshops, mentoring, and partnerships with faculty, designers, and industry experts, and expand market reach while empowering communities, with a particular focus on supporting women, youth, and marginalized groups.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern design, creating new opportunities for artisans from Northeast India while preserving their cultural heritage. Through this partnership, both organizations aim to empower artisans economically and culturally, ensuring their sustainable future while celebrating the diverse heritage of Northeast India.
