SRINAGAR: In a sequel of Public outreach programme, the Handicraft Office Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara today organised Awareness camps in their respective districts to raise awareness among artisans and weavers about various activities being carried out by the department for the benefit of the artisan community.
In this connection, a one day awareness camp was organised by District Handicraft Office Srinagar at Zadibal, here.
Speaking on the occasion Assistant Director Handicraft, Shariq Iqbal, informed the participants about the various activities that the department is conducting for the benefit of the artisan including providing of financial assistance under Credit Card Scheme and facilitation/ guidance to make artisans aware about the global e -market trends besides export related activities.
He further informed the participants that the department is running a special training programme in which the trainees, who are willing to learn the crafts, shall be provided stipend of Rs 1000 and RS 1500 for elementary and advance programme respectively with effect from 01 April, 2021.
The designers of the School of Designs also provided the information about the latest designs which the artisans can avail from School of Designs on free of cost basis for the artisans who are registered with the department, besides showcasing different designs.
The Director Handicrafts and Handlooms Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, praised the departmental officers for their doorstep outreach of the Artisans of the city, which is regarded as the hub of the Handicrafts sector.
He also put across a message to the Artisan and Weaver Community that the department is adamant to provide full support to the artisans for their economic well being.
The artisans and weavers besides the representatives of the financial institutes and Departmental Officers were present in the camp.
At Budgam: Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms organised an awareness camp at the conference hall of DIET Beerwah to create awareness among the artisans and weavers about various facets of entrepreneurship as a career option and also to highlight the merits of pursuing such an option.
Chief Designer, School of Designs Srinagar, Deputy Director, District Employment/Counselling Centre Budgam and District Nodal Officer EDI Budgam were the Guests on the occasion.
More than 200 artisans and weavers of the adjoining areas participated in the programme. On the spot registration of artisan and weavers was also carried on during the camp.
Speaking on the occasion the Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, G M Najar said that the aim of holding such camps is creating awareness among the artisan and weavers about the merits of pursuing various departmental schemes with special focus on credit card schemes for individual artisans.
Saima Shafi, a renowned artisan in Pottery craft briefed the artisans about innovation in the potter craft which is achieving newer heights due to the departmental interventions.
The Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Mr. Mahmood Ahmad Shah while applauding the practice of on the spot enrolment of artisans during the camp, stressed on hassle free registration of artisans and weavers. He laid a stress on the need of the field staff to come together and work closely with the craftspeople, listen to their voices, build on their strengths and think out of the box to rediscover the golden morning of the artisans and weavers.
At Ganderbal: The Department of Handicrafts organised an Awareness Camp to spread awareness among the artisan community at Wakura, here.
Tehsildar Wakura, Ab Majeed Dar was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He appreciated the efforts of Handicrafts Department Ganderbal in reaching out to people and suggested that Zari Embroidery Training Centres be established in Block Wakura as a large population is associated with the craft.
Assistant Director Handicrafts Ganderbal, RahilaQadri, emphasized the importance of Handicrafts in Kashmiri culture and economy and enlightened the audience about its future prospectus.
Assistant Handicrafts Training Officer gave a detailed overview of the departmental activities, schemes and programmes.
Designer from School of Designs, Srinagar, explained the role of SOD in providing design help to the artisans. The officials from the School of Design had kept new designs and prototypes on display at the event.
Various other speakers from Handicrafts Department Ganderbal besides, INDUCOS Wing and KVIB Ganderbal apprised the Artisan Community about the varied number of subjects and schemes.
The camp was attended by the PRIs besides representatives from other departments.
At Kupwara: The District Handicraft office today organized an awareness camp at Town Hall, Handwara to aware masses of the schemes launched by the govt from time to time for the economic upliftment of the artisans.
Assistant Director Handicrafts, Kupwara said that the people of the area should avail the benefits provided by the department under various schemes for their overall socio-economic wellbeing.
Other speakers on the occasion also highlighted various benefits, schemes and achievements of the department in the district.
On the occasion, it was informed that registration cards were provided to 300 artisans for availing various benefits from different schemes of the Handicraft Department.
The camp was attended by Tehsil level Handicraft Officers and concerned artisans of different areas from Handwara and Langate constituencies.