JAMMU, AUGUST 12:(KNS) NABARD Jammu & Kamir Regional Office today organised a special programme to observe the National Handloom Day.
Ranjan Praka Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of J&K was the Chief Guest of the occasion, while Vikas Gupta, Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Jammu was the Special Guest.
Surender Singh, General Manager, NABARD welcomed the dignitaries to the programme.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ajay Kumar Sood, Chief General Manager, NABARD, highlighted the contribution of handloom weavers and their efforts in upholding the rich heritage of India, contribution to economy as well as providing employment to a large population in rural India. Sood highlighted the efforts made by NABARD in promoting handloom sector in J&K, through OFPOs, Mini-OFPOs, Rural Marts, GI Registration, Exhibitions and Melas.
Anamika, DGM, NABARD gave a detailed presentation on Handloom sector and NABARD’s interventions for the development of the sector in UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
This was followed by a presentation on the success story of Sehar Carpet Producers Company Limited, an Off Farm Producers Organization supported by NABARD in Baramulla. A catalogue of products of Sehar Carpet producers Company Limited was also launched by the Chief Guest.
Prominent weavers from J&K and Ladakh were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the Handloom Sector.
Later, an elaborate discussion was held on the issues and challenges of the handloom sector and a future roadmap for its development.
Chief Guest, Ranjan Praka Thakur, in his address, highlighted the need for the revival and modernization of the handloom sector and stressed on the importance of providing marketing linkages to handloom products. He also urged the weavers to adapt to the changing needs and demands of the market.
National Handloom Day was also observed in the handloom clusters of Baramulla, Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua and Samba by NABARD in collaboration with the district officials of Handicrafts and handloom department.(KNS)