The rich handloom, handicraft and cultural heritage of Northeast India takes centre stage at Gandhi Shilp Bazaar 2026, inaugurated at Mopin Solung Ground in Itanagar. The ten-day showcase, organised by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC) in association with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Union Ministry of Textiles, runs until 2 November 2026.
The Itanagar edition lists 56 stalls, giving artisans, weavers and craftspersons from across the region a platform to display and sell their work directly to the public. The showcase was inaugurated in the presence of NEHHDC managing director Mara Kocho and Hara Kanta Baro, regional director (North Eastern Region) of the Development Commissioner’s office, along with the senior assistant director of the Handicrafts Service Centre, Itanagar.
A Living Heritage on Display
Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast are home to a remarkable range of traditional textiles, indigenous crafts and hand-woven products shaped by the knowledge and skills of local communities. Gandhi Shilp Bazaar brings that heritage closer to the public, offering visitors a chance to explore distinctive handmade products and gain a deeper appreciation of the traditions and techniques behind them.
Direct Markets for Artisans
A major focus of the bazaar is giving artisans and weavers direct access to consumers and potential buyers. For many craftspersons, reaching new markets and gaining visibility beyond their immediate communities is an important step towards sustaining livelihoods and expanding their businesses. The event also encourages artisans to develop their product offerings and pass their skills on to future generations.
Culture as Livelihood
Handlooms and handicrafts carry the stories, artistic expressions and cultural knowledge of the communities that create them, so preserving these traditions is closely linked to protecting the region’s cultural identity. Through initiatives such as Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, traditional craftsmanship is presented not only as an expression of heritage but also as a source of livelihood and entrepreneurship for artisan communities.
Arunachal Pradesh continues to push development that reaches local communities, from revamped small hydel stations bringing power to households to Northeast institutions earning national recognition.
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