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| Welcome to Handicrafts Expo.... All are invited...! | | But is there anything new to offer by the Deptt...? | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 12: Notwithstanding the pretext of financial crunch it gives where it doesn't want to spend funds , the J&K coalition Government goes on in an unabated spree huge expenditure in organizing melas, expos and other related wasteful functions, which are nothing but photo shoot occasions for concerned Ministers and benefit for only few 'envisaged' pockets. Flock of others participating in it, including the crowd of visitors more often than not gets befooled in the fake tag of sale and discount. Handicrafts, which once used to the pride of the State , are in limelight through ads in newspapers informing people about its 'Expo', being organized in Jammu from next week.
There are few interesting things in the advertisement unfolded through its contents. But before divulging about those, one is certainly prompted to know the motive or objective of organizing such exhibitions. If it is as a part of the annual ritual held during this part of the year by the department, even then it is a wasteful exercise for there is seemingly nothing new with the Department to demonstrate or exhibit in this Expo. And if there is, the authorities must come up first with improvement, if on any front made, or progress achieved in any sector which is otherwise very vast and full of variety. Apparently, there is nothing of the sort because had there been even a little, Government would have boasted and tired itself by making loud claims on the 'achievement' list.
The fact remains Handicrafts, which is unique in itself in J&K for so many reasons, no strides have been made by this Government nor has the specific Ministry made any attempt to revive or refurbish the existing ones with innovative measures. The fact also remains that Kashmir handicrafts sector on the grass root level is facing innumerable hardships including crunch of resources and finances to support them sustain their arts. Government claims encouraging the artisans by providing them financial assistance but that is too meager to lure them into continuance of the extremely tough and hard work they put in their respective arts. The boasts about facilitating the cases of artisans in Banks for loans are also hollow as most of the artisans do not get access to even basics of such formalities. The department very often comes out with details of organizing training programmes but these too are seen as cosmetic, irregular measures which hardly helps the artisans who deserve it most.
The fact that will make uncomfortable the concerned quarters remains that most of the art forms under this department are dying a gradual death due to apathy of the Government .And yet the department takes pride in announcing opening of the 'grand expos', as mentioned in the ad in newspapers. One fails to understand why the Ministry did not make any mention as to what this expo will offer to visitors or help in anyway the participants that should have been the main content. Ironically, it had the picture of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the top. One fails to understand the purpose. |
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