Srinagar November 4 (KNS): The Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSRTI), Pampore, under the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, organized a National Technical Seminar on “Technological Interventions for Improving Quality and Productivity of Silk Industry”at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Srinagar.
The seminar was inaugurated by P. Sivakumar, IFS Chief Executive Officer and Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, and Director General, International Sericulture Commission, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, Director, Sericulture Development Department, J&K; Dr. Sardar Singh, Director, CSB–Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Pampore; Dr. M.A. Khan, Director (Retd.), Central Silk Board; Mussarat Islam (JKAS), Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir; K.P. Sharma, Joint Director, Rajbhasha Vibhag, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; and Dr. Naresh Babu, IFS, Joint Secretary (Tech), Central Silk Board, Bengaluru.
In his inaugural address, P. Sivakumar assured full support from the Central Silk Board for the promotion and sustainable growth of bivoltine sericulture in Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciated the superior quality of Kashmir silk and emphasized the need for global branding to enhance its visibility and market potential.
Shri Aijaz Ahmad Bhat expressed gratitude to the Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, for selecting Kashmir Valley as the venue for this National Seminar. He noted that the deliberations and research findings presented in Hindi and Urdu would significantly aid technology diffusion and improve silk productivity across India, especially in J&K. He further stressed that such events should be organized regularly for the benefit of sericulture farmers and to revive the legacy of Kashmiri silk.
Dr. Sardar Singh highlighted that this is the first time the institute has organized a dedicated National Technical Seminar with scientific discussions conducted in Hindi.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelSericultural scientists from 20 states, from Tamil Nadu to Kashmir, participated in day-long deliberations.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, J&K, appreciated the initiative and expressed hope that the seminar would add new dimensions to the sericulture industry in Kashmir. He noted that these developments would also benefit the handloom sector, as silk is an important raw material for Kashmiri handloom products exported worldwide.
Sh. K.P. Sharma emphasized the Central Silk Board’s efforts in promoting Hindi as a medium of communication in scientific discussions. He remarked that using Hindi helps farmers better understand scientific advancements, strengthening the link between researchers and the farming community.
On this occasion, three Hindi publications — Abstract Book (Smarika) Annual Hindi Magazine, and Half-Yearly Newsletter— were released by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.
A total of 88 scientists from 20 states participated in the seminar and presented their research through oral and poster presentations. During the Rajbhasha Session, four presentations were delivered by Hindi officers from the Central Silk Board, emphasizing the role of Hindi in science and technology communication.
In the technical sessions, Directors from nine R&D institutes of the Central Silk Board presented lead papers on the current status of Mulberry, Tasar, Muga, and Eri sericulture, along with Post-Cocoon technologies and by-products. Across the Mulberry, Vanya, and Post-Cocoon sessions, 34 oral presentations and 25 posters were presented.
This was the first Hindi technical seminar organized by the Central Silk Board in the Kashmir Valley, providing a platform for meaningful discussion on sericulture technologies, scientific advancements, and strategies for sustaining sericulture in North-West India.(KNS)