Arunachal Pradesh-based startup Gona Niji is set to represent India at the 19th Edition of the Celebrating Northeast India Festival in Istanbul, Türkiye, on September 8, 2024. The startup will showcase its innovative fashion theme, “Local Nowhere,” highlighting the traditional loom and handicraft heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed pride in the startup’s achievement, calling it a significant milestone for the state and its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Gona Niji, incubated by the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park (APIIP) from Kamle district, is set to bring the rich cultural heritage of the Northeast to an international audience.
In his congratulatory tweet, CM Khandu praised Gona Niji’s dedication to preserving traditional skills and promoting local craftsmanship globally. He also commended the APIIP for fostering such talent and innovation within the state. “Kamle to Istanbul – our startups are truly going global!” Khandu remarked, celebrating the international recognition of Arunachal Pradesh’s creative industries.
The Celebrating Northeast India Festival is an annual event designed to promote the cultural, social, and economic aspects of India’s northeastern states. This year’s festival is expected to draw significant attention, especially with the participation of startups like Gona Niji, further showcasing the region’s talents and innovations on a global stage.
