Modern looms, global design focus and upgraded testing labs announced to empower artisans and boost Kashmir’s craft legacy
SRINAGAR: Union Textiles Secretary, Neelam Shami Rao, today reiterated the Government’s commitment to promoting and reviving the unique craft of hand-knotted carpet weaving. She made these remarks while distributing Modified Modern Steel Carpet Looms to artisans under the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP) at the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) campus, Srinagar.
The event was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce,. Vikramjit Singh; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Padmini Singla; Director, Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Mussrat Islam; Executive Director, Central Wool Development Board, G.S. Bhati; Member Secretary, J&K Sericulture Development Board, P. Shiv Kumar and other senior officers of the Ministry of Textiles and the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir.
In her address, the Union Secretary encouraged the UT Government to submit more proposals to the Ministry of Textiles, particularly for upgradation of testing and certification facilities. She stressed the importance of reviving traditional designs while simultaneously incorporating contemporary patterns to strengthen the global appeal of Kashmiri handicrafts.
“I have come from Delhi along with a team of senior officers to gain firsthand insight into introducing new benchmarks that will strengthen backward and forward linkages in the craft sector,” she stated.
Earlier, Neelam Shami Rao visited various sections of IICT, where the Director IICT briefed her about ongoing training programmes, the design studio and the NABL-accredited laboratory. She expressed keen interest in scaling up IICT’s laboratory facilities, noting that special funding has already been provided under the technology component of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).
Union Secretary also visited the Pashmina Testing & Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) and assured full support for procuring state-of-the-art machines to ensure the authenticity of Kashmiri Pashmina and other handicrafts.
During her visit, Union Secretary interacted with Padma Shri and National Award-winning artisans, including Ghulam Hassan Khan (Patchwork Jamawar), Ghulam Nabi Dar (Wood Carving), and Farooq Ahmad Mir (Kani Shawl), as well as budding entrepreneurs like Shahnawaz Carpets and Beenish Crewel Toys.
Union Secretary distributed Modified Modern Steel Carpet Looms among artisan clusters from Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam and Srinagar districts. She also assured consideration of a proposal submitted by the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, for the procurement of 500 additional looms for distribution.