Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 380/09

PRESS RELEASE

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang today laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Common Facility Centre for Vanya Silk of the Sericulture and Weaving Department at UmsawNongbri, Ri Bhoi District in the presence of the Chairman MCCL, Mr Donbok Khymdeit who is also the local MLA of the area, Director of Health Services, Dr K H Lakiang and Chief Engineer PWD, Mr P S G Lyngdoh.

It may be mentioned that Umsawnongbri is one of the villages in Ri Bhoi District where Silkworm rearing is the main occupation of the people especially the women folks where they rear silkworms and manually spin thread from the silkworm cocoons and weave the “Muga” shawl. The estimated cost for construction of the Common Facility Centre at Umsawnongbri is Rs 18 Lacs which is funded by the Central Government under the Backward Region Grant Fund. The main purpose of the Centre is to converge all the weavers who spin thread in their home to have a common place where they can work as the centre will be equipped with reeling machines and they can also make their dyes in the centre for dyeing their threads. It may also be mentioned here that the area is rich in natural dyes which are extracted from trees, roots and herbs which is quite unique.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Lapang said that it is very appropriate to locate the Common Facility Centre at Umsawnongbri as Silkworm rearing is the main occupation of the people in the area. He said that the Centre will boost the economic condition of the people of the area as it will enhance the production of muga shawls.

Dr Lapang said that Ri Bhoi District as a whole is rich in natural resources and the only thing required is for the people to work hard in judiciously exploit the resources and enhance their economic conditions.

On the same day, Dr Lapang also laid the foundation stone for improvement of the Football Playground at Umsawnongbri which will be constructed by the Office of the District Sports Officer, Ri Bhoi District.