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| Vohra, Jairam honour artisans with GI certificates | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Dedicating Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to the artisans and craft industry of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor N N Vohra, today sought international registration of the world famous crafts to ensure value addition to the Kashmir produce.
Vohra presented the certificates under Geographical Indications Goods Act of India for Kani Shawl and Kashmir Pashmina to the artisans at a function here this morning. The Union Minister of State for Commerce, Jairam Ramesh and the Advisor to Governor, H H Tyabji, were among the prominent dignitaries present on the occasion.
The Governor described GI certification as a significant milestone towards building a better prospect for the world renowned crafts and the whole lot of artisans involved with the traditional handicrafts. "This is indeed a great day for the artisans", he added.
Vohra observed that the international registration in the European and American markets, though a difficult task, would be successfully accomplished for opening up new vistas of opportunities in the international markets. He hoped that with the GI certification the fake products in the name of Kashmir crafts can be effectively checked and urged the artisans to maintain the quality standards of their products. He expressed happiness over the anticipated 15 to 20 per cent value additions to the Kashmir crafts after the certification.
The Governor said that the Kashmiri crafts received tremendous setback during the past about two decades and exuded confidence that with the sustained efforts of the Central and the State Governments these crafts would regain their glory. He urged the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Energy to extend the benefits of technical know how and funding for giving a big boost to the handicrafts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of State for Commerce announced that Sozni, yet another renowned craft of Kashmir, is all set to be accorded GI certification. He said the preliminary formalities in this regard have been completed and the decision was likely within a fortnight.
The Minister referred to the international certification and registration of Kashmiri crafts like Pashmina, Kani and Sozni and their logos and said that these measures will protect these brands.
Describing the registration procedure as a painstaking process, the Minister said that this required extensive research regarding the origin, uniqueness, history, manufacturing process etc. This process took 20 months and everybody was taken along in this process, he added.
He said that after the GI registration of Darjeeling tea, 96 other commodities have been registered all over the country and hoped that the GI registration of Kani and Pashmina shawls will fetch these products about 20 per cent additional prices.
Commissioner/Secretary Industries, Dr Pawan Kotwal said that GI Registration was an acknowledgement of the uniqueness of handicrafts and added that the effect of the registration would accord legal protection to these crafts in the market place
The Governor handed over the GI Registration Certificates to Ali Mohammed Najar and Mushtaq Ahmed Mir and also honoured Mohammed Shariq Farooqi, Director of Crafts Development Institute, Srinagar for his distinguished services in the field of handicrafts. |
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