Ministry Launches Exclusive RISA Store to Elevate Tribal Textiles and Catalyze Artisan Empowerment

Ministry Launches Exclusive RISA Store to Elevate Tribal Textiles and Catalyze Artisan Empowerment​

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), has unveiled RISA - Timeless Tribal. This dedicated premium brand is set to revolutionize the market presence of tribal textiles, embroideries, and handicrafts across the nation and internationally. The exclusive RISA Store was formally inaugurated at Gallery No. 2, Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan in Connaught Place, New Delhi.

This initiative directly aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat, aiming to ensure inclusive growth by economically empowering tribal communities while fiercely protecting India's deeply rich cultural heritage.

Creating a Premium Brand Ecosystem for Tribal Crafts​

The creation of the RISA brand is designed to address critical gaps in the market linkage and design aspects of tribal products. The initiative seeks to establish a distinct premium identity for these handcrafted goods.

Smt. Ranjana Chopra, IAS, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, emphasized that tribal textiles and handicrafts are living embodiments of cultural traditions and artistic excellence. She stated they require sustained institutional support to guarantee their continued growth and recognition in competitive markets.

Shri M. Rajamurugan, MD of TRIFED, highlighted RISA's function as a comprehensive ecosystem creator. The initiative aims to integrate design development, skill upgradation, product innovation, packaging enhancements, and robust market promotion for artisans.

Phase One: Focus on Key Textiles and Handicrafts​

The first phase of the RISA implementation has strategically identified seven high-potential tribal textile and embroidery traditions based on their cultural significance. These crafts include Eri Silk and Muga Silk from Assam, Santal Cotton from Jharkhand, Changpa Pashmina from Ladakh, Kotpad Cotton and Dongria Embroidery from Odisha, and Toda Embroidery of Tamil Nadu.

Beyond textiles, the initiative also focuses on expanding market outreach for selected tribal handicrafts. This includes Longpi Pottery of Manipur, Turtuk Brass Cutlery of Ladakh, and Dokhra Art of Chhattisgarh.

Design Development and Production Infrastructure​

The RISA project is being executed through the National Design Centre (NDC), an autonomous body operating under the Ministry of Textiles. The scope of the project is wide-ranging, covering everything from design development to capacity building of tribal weavers and artisans.

To elevate product quality, eminent fashion designers like Ms. Anju Modi, Shri Manish Tripathi, Shri Gaurav Jai Gupta, and others have been associated with the initiative. They are engaged to support modernizing product lines while ensuring authenticity is preserved.

The National Institute of Design (NID), Haryana, has been specifically brought in for developing premium and environmentally sustainable packaging solutions under the RISA brand standard. This systematic approach ensures that the economic empowerment promised reaches beyond mere sales figures. The overall initiative is set to significantly boost cultural preservation and visibility in both domestic and international arenas.