Pahalgam August 20 (KNS): Department of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir is organising a 10-day exhibition cum sale at Pahalgam from today. Aimed at boosting the Handicraft Industry and improving its existing market potential & share, the event reflects a big vision and a bigger commitment for the future of the industry which shall be extended to all over the country to fulfil the same. Bringing together an all- inclusive cross section of different crafts the event is an epitome of appeal, usability, learning and commercial viability. A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. GI tagged products are invaluable treasures and aim to build confidence amongst the buying community.
Kashmir is the richest place in terms of cultural heritage as it has an everlasting collection of arts and crafts. The handcrafted artefacts hold the pride of being personal artistic expressions, symbols of heritage, identity and sources of livelihood for the artisans. There is diversity found in the skills that an artisan has been carrying old traditions to various arts and crafts.
Retaining the indigenousness of the skills, the artists have successfully refined them at the same time. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemics there has been a considerable piling-up of the inventories at the artisans’ workplaces which was a challenge before the department and to combat the same the present exhibition and several UT as well as national level exhibitions shall be arranged by the department in coming months.
Speaking on the occasion the Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir briefed the media about the commitment of the department to support the artisans and weavers of Kashmir. He further said that in order to support weavers/artisans/ producers of unique hand woven, handcrafted products, the department is participating in the first India GI fair being organised concurrently from 26-28 August, 2022 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The department, to provide an impetus to the handicraft industry, has taken several initiatives for the larger participation of the exhibitors from the J&K resulting in enhanced business opportunities for them leading to employment generation. The Pahalgam exhibition is open to the buyers through a thoughtfully conceptualised show wherein 30+ artisans, unit holders and Industrial Cooperative societies from all parts of Kashmir have put on display, stoles & scarves; shawls; embroidered; artisanal apparel; protective wear accessories and components. This comes on the heels of the upcoming exhibitions in the coming months at Sonamarg, Leh, Jammu, PITEX, Delhi Haat, CII Chandigarh, IITF New Delhi, Surajkund Haryana, HGH New Delhi, Noida Haat NCR, DITEX NCR, Carpet Expo Delhi.(KNS)