First-time travellers from remote Nagaland part of Presidential “At Home” Reception
A group of women artisans from Noklak, Nagaland, many of whom travelled outside their home states for the first time, presented handcrafted textiles made from indigenous nettle fibres to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The artisans, led by design label Woven Threads in collaboration with artisan communities from across the Northeast, also met the President and shared their experiences of working on the “At Home” Reception held on January 26, 2026.
As part of the Presidential gift from Nagaland, Team Woven Threads x Noklak presented handcrafted home textiles made with Ehlon-niu fibres (stinging nettle and orange wild rhea fibres), comprising a set of three pillow covers from their latest collection. The project was supported under “The Canvas Home Small Grants” initiative of Handmade To Market, formerly known as Aid to Artisans.
The presentation formed part of the “At Home” Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an annual programme curated under the aegis of the President’s Secretariat with technical support from the National Institute of Design.
The initiative brought together crafts from all eight Northeastern states, highlighting traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design practices from the region. It was developed through collaboration between designers, entrepreneurs, artisans, and weavers across the Northeast.
A delegation of around 80 artisans participated in the programme, the majority of them women from remote areas of the Northeast. For many, the journey to Delhi and participation at Rashtrapati Bhavan marked their first visit outside their home states.
The artisans also contributed to curated invitation kits and craft items for the presidential program.
The initiative involved the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), National Institute of Design, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.