Sualkuchi, a village in Assam known for its rich silk weaving heritage, has been awarded the title of one of the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ in the craft category.
The recognition was announced by the Ministry of Tourism on World Tourism Day, celebrated on Friday.
Located about 35 km from Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, Sualkuchi has long been a central hub in Assam’s socio-economic history, thanks to its thriving silk weaving industry.
Renowned for producing traditional silk fabrics like Muga, Eri, Paat, and Tasar, Sualkuchi is often referred to as the ‘Manchester of the East’ for its extensive silk production.
Muga silk, in particular, has earned international recognition for its unique properties. Assam’s Muga silk has also been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, cementing its identity on the global silk stage.
The village was honoured for its exceptional craftsmanship, with the award also recognising the tireless efforts of local NGO Marvella. The NGO has worked diligently to promote and sustain Sualkuchi’s silk industry.
"It is a recognition of all villagers' joint effort to keep alive this age-old craft for generations. We are happy that Sualkuchi got recognition as one of the best villages in the craft category," said Jugal Bharali, co-founder of Marvella.
Bharali, along with Pakumoni Das and Moitreyee Das, Deputy Director of Assam Tourism, received the award at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, attended by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The ‘Best Tourism Villages’ competition, organised annually by the Ministry of Tourism, aims to celebrate rural tourism destinations that preserve cultural and natural heritage, while promoting community-based values and sustainability.
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