Mentioning the significance of handicrafts in the state’s economy, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday said that natural beauty and artisan’s magical skills have mesmerized the world since ages.“However, the damage caused to the state’s natural wealth, water bodies and environment as also downward dip in the manufacturing of world class quality handicrafts have badly impacted both these sectors during the recent past”, he said adding that much focus is required to restore the glory of this heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.Addressing a Dastkaar Mela organized by J&K Bank in collaboration with Handicrafts department at Badamwari near here, the Chief Minister said that right from day first his government paid focused attention on reviving the world famous handicrafts by addressing the difficulties of artisans and helping their organization and sustained growth and development.“My government took various new initiatives to encourage youth to find their careers in the high potential handicrafts sector’, he said and added that his government obtained Geographical Indicators (Patent) for six handicrafts of Pashmina, Kani Shawl, Papier-machie, Walnut Wood Carving, Crewel Chain Stitch Embroidery and Khatamband. He said this has given new dimension to the production of these handicrafts in the state and catapulted its marketability across the world. “This has recognized the patent and originality of these handicrafts and gave fillip to the status of artisans all across the world”, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the initiatives of his government to provide Artisans Credit Cards to the artisans of the state on the analogy of Kissan Credit Cards would give immunity to the artisans of getting exploited by the middlemen and money lenders. “Now they are no more required to get finance from the middlemen and agents for manufacturing of their products, they can use the credit card facility for this purpose”, he said adding that Jammu and Kashmir Bank has provided special window in this regard. “We have also provided modern carpet looms to the carpet weavers to facilitate their working. Some 8000 looms have been distributed among the beneficiaries so far free of cost and many more are in the process of distribution”, he told the gathering of artisans present on the occasion.Omar Abdullah also referred to the help provided by the Craft Development Institute and Carpet Technology Institute to the artisans for the growth and development of handicrafts. While underlining the importance of preserving the heritage and age old handicrafts designs, he said that new designs with heritage bearing should be introduced and products of day to day use manufactured to attract the present day consumer towards these items. He said computer covers, telephone covers and other such marketable items could be manufactured giving them heritage handicrafts touch of world famous Kashmir handicrafts and art.
The Chief Minister said that as per a survey report more than 3.75 lakh families are reported to be directly and indirectly involved in the handicrafts sector for earning their livelihood. “This is a big chunk of population and requires equal attention in the development policy of the state. We have underlined this aspect fully and measures have been taken to ameliorate the lot of people associated with handicrafts”, he said and mentioned the establishment of Handicrafts Clusters in various areas of Srinagar Downtown to develop direct liaison of the handicraft manufacturer with the tourists and those interested in buying handicrafts for trade purposes.Omar said that during the last year over 13 lakh visitors visited the Valley and the number of the visitors this year so far has been over 10 lakh despite some law and order situation in the beginning of the season. “We want the number of tourists increase and they make visit to Old Srinagar City a necessary part of their itinerary. In this connection, my government has focused on showcasing the heritage and handicrafts of Shahr-i-Khas to the visitors world over”, he added and said that the government is also concentrating on repairing the damages caused to the water-bodies like Dal Lake.Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected various stalls installed by various artisans to showcase their products. The stalls exhibited handicraft items of some 20 handicrafts of the Valley including carpets, shawls, paper-machie, chain stitch crewel, etc.The Chief Minister also handed over awards to the budding entrepreneurs who have launched their ventures under SKEWPY and achieved turnover between 50 lakhs to over Rupees one crore during one year of their functioning. He also gave Artisans Credit Cards to various beneficiaries on the occasion.The Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Chairman J&K Bank also spoke on the occasion.Jammu and Kashmir Bank as a part of its Platinum Jubilee initiative has organized a 3-day Dastkaar Mela in collaboration with Handicrafts Department at historic Badamwari on the foot hills of Hari Parbhat here. The Bank has taken upon itself the stupendous task of empowerment of artisans by giving a fillip to handicrafts. The bank will provide liberal finance to the artisans to meet both investment as well as working capital needs. It will also promote art and craft through creative usage of various communication tools.