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| Deputy Commissioner Srinagar humiliates master craftsmen, artisans | | Seeks rehabilitation package for golden hands | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, May 11: Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah virtually humiliated the master craftsmen of Kashmir valley by saying that the artisans should be rehabilitated since they are facing tremendous hardships. The statement made by DC Srinagar other day came as a shocker to the artisans who are fighting hard to retain the age old arts and crafts of Kashmir. Instead of evolving a proper plan for saving a craft like Pashmina, Shah added insult to the injury by saying that master craftsmen and artisans are in dire need of rehabilitation.
It would be in place to mention here that Pashmina weavers have been running from pillar to post over the years while seeking ban on the functioning of power looms in the different parts of Kashmir. Majority of these power looms are operating in downtown Srinagar and despite knowing the exact address no action whatsoever has been taken to close down such units.
"The Pashmina craft is linked with the tradition of Kashmir and generations have worked for preserving this craft. Some of the black sheep have crept in and brought a bad name to this craft. Not more than 500 people are working at these power looms, but still then they are ruling the roost while causing tremendous hardships to the real artisans," said Rauf Ahmad Qureshi, President, Pashmina Kaarigar Union of Kashmir.
Rauf said the irony is that the state government officials have resorted to mere lip service while doing nothing to preserve the Pashmina craft. He said action against the owners of power looms would have led to far reaching results and helped a lot in regaining the glory of Pashmina craft.
"Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar is well aware of the fact that power looms are operating illegally in the Srinagar city. He has the power and mandate to close down these units but has not done so. He has come under the influence of the owners of these power looms and as such lacks the will to close down the power loom units," said Rauf.
Rauf said the statement given by Shah regarding rehabilitation of master craftsmen and artisans is humiliating and disgusting as well. He said along with DC Srinagar, the Handicrafts department too has ditched them. He added that there is no relief from the bad practices being carried out by the cheats operating in the field.
Pertinent to mention here that Industries and Commerce department have issued orders in the past asking for the ban on the functioning of power looms. However, the orders have not been implemented in letter and spirit. This has led to a situation where the machine made shawls are being sold in the market both national as well as international level in the name of original Pashmina shawls.
"One can easily gauge the helplessness of the concerned stakeholders by the fact that there is no permission for the power looms to operate. Future of lakhs of artisans has been put at stake and many of them have started doing menial jobs. The statement of Deputy Commissioner has virtually broken our backs," said Rauf. |
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