North-East India's first centre of the National Institute of Fashion Technology has taken off in Shillong with an intake capacity of 60 students.
The Shillong centre is among the four centres of the prestigeous institute proposed to set be set up in the country besides the existing eight.
"The region is endowed with one of the finest art and crafts. This Centre will help the region to catch up with the rest of the country in fashion," said Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, while inagurating the centre last evening.
He said the centre would open new avenues for the youth of the region who are 'extremely conscious about fashion'.
NIFT director general Rajeev Takru said initially, the centre would have an intake of 60 students to be selected through a rigorous all-India level entrance. It would provide two flagship courses - fashion design and accessory design, but the range of courses would be widened from the second year.
"The centre is expected to play a major role in grass-root level training of the traditional craftsmen. It is an advent of a relevant and professional line to a region which required it most," Takru said.
State planning board chairman PA Sangma said although the region is blessed with four varieties of silk, including the exclusive muga, yet lack of technology for its conversion has hampered the progress of the industry.