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| ‘Technology, craftsmanship mix to promote Kashmir handicrafts’ | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | June 21
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has called for a mix of technology and craftsmanship to promote Kashmir handicrafts, adding that matching of the two would meet the global market demand of handicrafts products, both in design and quality.
Azad was addressing a well attended function after inaugurating with the Union Minister for Textiles, Shankersinh Vaghela, the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology and Craft Development Institute here today.
Minister for Industries & Commerce, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Dr. Ramesh Chander Sharma, Chief Secretary, S. S. Kapur, Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Government of India, Sanjay Aggarwal, Director Handicrafts, Rafiq Ahmad Qadri, senior officers and prominent artisans were present.
The Rs. 10 crore Craft Development Institute would help in transforming the State's craft sector other than carpet through innovation, education and integrated development by introducing fresh approaches in revitalizing traditional craft concepts and cultivate visionary leadership to promote crafts. The institute has already established itself by developing new designs and conducting training programmes. It has also started 2 years' post-graduate programme of craft management and entrepreneurial leadership, the first in the country. The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, costing Rs. 6 crore, would provide human resource in modern technology for carpets by introducing computer technology in designing, besides developing new looms and provide consultancy in the field of carpet technology.
Azad and Vaghela also laid the foundation stone of the office building for the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Government of India at Bemina. The 3-storey building would be completed at a cost of Rs. 5.18 croes in 18 months.
The Chief Minister said that handicrafts were the identity of Kashmir and an important component of the State's economy. He said the workforce of 3.5 lakh artisans had kept the economy of the valley going when most of the sectors were hard hit by violence. He said handicrafts like the scenic beauty of Kashmir were a strong identity of the Valley world over. He said when a large number of people coming from various sections of the society migrated from here, the artisans were perhaps the only section that stay put and engaged themselves in their trade despite difficulties. He said this helped the Valley's economy from going down from a certain level. He congratulated the artisans and said he salutes them for this.
The Chief Minister said that the J&K annually produces handicrafts worth Rs. 1600 crore, of which exports account for Rs. 1400 crore. He said the exports include Rs. 1200 crore worth carpets alone. He asked the artisans to increase the handicrafts exports to Rs. 2000 crore in next two years by applying modern technology made available by the newly set up institutes.
The Chief Minister also sought the assistance of the central government in the modernization of 40,000 looms to uplift the handloom sector in the State. He asked the central minister to provide financial assistance in a phased manner to complete the modernization of looms in a period of five years. He thanked the minister for setting up the two institutes in the Valley and lauded the central government assistance in setting up of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute and International Trade Centre. He said the EDI building would be completed at a cost of Rs. 10 crore in the next month. The foundation of the building was laid in late October 2007. He said the Rs. 50 crore International Trade centre would be completed in the next two years and facilitate holding of national and international trade fairs in the Valley. He said the coming four to five years would see the handicrafts sector taking a big leap and asked the artisans to be ready for that. The dream of a prosperous J&K was not distant, he added.
The Chief Minister requested the union minister to allow the plan support for the two institutes for next five years from today, the date of their inauguration, instead of from the time of these in private buildings. The Minister readily agreed to the request.
Speaking on the occasion, Shankersinh Vaghela said that Kashmir was known all over for its exquisite handicrafts and there was need to further develop and modernize this sector. He said this sector has vast potential for generating employment avenues and promote economy adding that focus should be laid on handicrafts like carpets, pashmina shawls, wood carving, papier machie. He said if these handicrafts were developed to the potential level, Kashmir would not require big industry to generate economy. He said the officials of the handicrafts sector should pursue the plans with the central government as the representatives of the artisans which would help in addressing the problems in a better way. He asked the State government to come up with a proposal for shared increase in the stipend for the trainee artisans.
The Minister assured full support of his ministry for the development of handicrafts and handloom sectors in the State. He also assured that the matter regarding raising stipend of the trainees of the handicrafts centres in Jammu and Kashmir would be given due consideration. He said where the benefit to poor artisans was concerned the amount of money was no consideration for the central government. He said his ministry was interested in the fullest utilization of the funds provided for the development of handicrafts and handloom sectors in the State.
Earlier, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Nawang Rigzin Jora said the two institutes launched today were needed the most to give boost to carpet and craft sectors in Kashmir. He said handicrafts have a promising future and the new facilities would boost production, quality and marketing of the products. The Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Sanjay Aggarwal also spoke on the occasion while Director Handicrafts, Rafiq Ahmad Qadri presented vote of thanks. |
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