Minister for Industries and Commerce (I&C), Chander Parkash Ganga has emphasized upon the need for innovations and latest techniques in the handloom and handicraft designs so that the weavers can make more profit in the goods besides to flourish their business at national and international markets.The Minister was interacting with the weavers during Handloom Expo 2017-2018 at Kala Kendra, Jammu here today. The 14-day exhibition is organized by Directorate of Handloom Development Department sponsored by Development Commissioner for Handlooms and Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India (GoI).About 47 cooperative societies from different parts of the state are participating in the event. The main attraction is world famous Kani Shawls, original Pashmina shawls and stoles, raffle shawls, tweed cloth, bed sheets, home furnishing material and other exclusive handloom items.Congratulating the artisans for their brilliant work, the Minister emphasized on the importance of marketability and also impressed upon the artisans to keep marketability in mind when designing their goods.
Lauding the efforts of Handloom Department for organizing such exhibition in the State, the Minister asked them to organize similar events in other parts of the State so that Handloom Weaving Cooperative Societies get a platform to showcase their products. He asserted that all the three regions of the State have unique specialties in handloom and handicrafts, adding that J&K Handloom holds enormous potential to create self-employment opportunities and bring distinctive improvement in the socio economic status of the people of the State especially Weavers.The Minister said that centuries old tradition of weaving by hand is one of the richest and the most vibrant aspects of the cultural heritage of the State. Ganga asserted that level of artistry and intricacy achieved in the handloom fabrics is unique and unparallel. “Jammu and Kashmir is famous for the weaving of specialized fabrics like Pashmina shawls, Raffal shawls, Kani Shawls, Silk Sarees and Kishtwari blankets and it also provides livelihood to millions of the weavers and craftsperson,” he added.On the occasion, a scintillating cultural programme was presented by Academy of Art, Culture and Languages which was highly appreciated by one and all.Director Handloom Development Department Rajesh Sharma, Joint Director Handloom Development Department Jammu, Namrita Dogra, besides other senior officers of the concerned departments and a good number of people was present on the occasion.