KU grants recognition to CDI’s Masters Degree in Craft Management.
SRINAGAR: Highlighting the importance of handicrafts in the growth and development of State’s economy, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that this sector has been employment provider to a large number of people since ages. He emphasized theneed for providing necessary succour to the artisans associated with handicrafts and giving considerable boost to this activity in the State.
Inspecting the functioning of Craft Development Institute (CDI) and Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) at Nowshera here, the Chief Minister said that imparting necessary trainings tothe artisans to utilize modern technology and factoring it in the traditional and heritage characteristics of handicrafts is need of the hour to provide strong edifice to this activity and upgrade its marketing.
Omar Abdullah said that government has initiated various programmes to help balanced growth and development of handicrafts and handlooms in the State ensuring welfare and economic betterment of the large number of families associated with this sector. “While special programme for cluster development of artisans associated with the manufacturing of different handicrafts is under implementation, various new schemes have been introduced by the Industries Department to help artisans in the manufacturing and marketing of their produce.
The Chief Minister said that CDI and IICT have important role to play in the development of handicraft sector paving way for the young boys and girls to seek career in this economically important field.
At the Craft Development Institute, the Director, Farooq Ahmad presented brief about the functioning of the institute in a PowerPoint presentation. He said that first of its kind two years professional programme for Masters in Craft Management and Entrepreneurship has been launched in the institute this year which has been granted recognition by the University of Kashmir. He said admission process for this Masters Degree unique in the country has commenced from July this year.
Farooq Ahmad said that six traditional crafts of Kashmir origin namely Pashmina, Sozni-embroidery, Kani-shawl, Papier-Machie, Khatamband and Walnut Woodcarving have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) by the Government of India which denotes Kashmiri patent of these crafts.
The Director expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for sanctioning Rs. 2.75 crore for enforcement of GIs in Kashmir Pashmina, Sozni and Kani-shawl. He said that a modern testing laboratory has been constructed in the institute to analyze the Pashmina shawls and certifyits purity.
He said that registrations of GIs in26 European Countries, 20 Asian Countries, 15 countries in Russia, 11 countries in UAE and Middle East, 6 countries in South Africa and in three countries of USA, Mexico and Canada is under process. He said the process of recognition and representation to Kashmir Pashmina trade for labelling and branding is also in process with Manufacturers Institute at Bosta. He said that recognition of legal definition of Pashmina has also been taken up with Encyclopaedia Britannia. He said that a proposal for building the brand ‘Kashmir Pashmina’ at the international level has been drafted.
While granting revolving fund of Rs.75 lakhs to the CDI for carrying out its functioning hassle-free, the Chief Minister underlined the need for early start of Pashmina Testing Laboratory and providing certificate of genuineness to each shawl manufactured in the State so that its marketing gets catapulted internationally bringing glory to the State and economic welfare to the people associated with this trade.
At the Indian Institute of Craft Technology, the Director, Zubair Ahmad said that Craft Institute has designed modern carpet looms to make the weaving of carpets easy and comfortable for the weavers. He said that the old fashioned looms were troublesome for the weavers while the new looms designed and manufactured have removed all such shortcomings.
He also gave details about the trainings being provided to the carpet weavers and said that stipend of Rs.3500 per month and Rs. 1000 per month to each weaver getting training in two different categories in the institute. He explained the computerization method factored in developing designs and printing ‘Taleem’ (Special Coded Language for Carpet Weavers to weave the carpet as per the design, colours and particular pattern). He said this has made the process more easy and comfortable for carpet weavers. He said necessary training is being provided by the IICT in this field to the interested persons.
The Chief Minister interacted with the students who are in process of getting admission for Masters Degree in Craft Management and Entrepreneurship and told them that government would provide all help to them in self employment generating units after completion of training. He also interacted with carpet weavers under training in the IICT and enquired from them about the nature of training and their future plans.
The Chief Minister was informed by the Director Handicrafts, Muzaffar Hussain that 8000 modern carpet looms are being provided to the registered carpet weavers during this year. He said that15000 cases for issuing life time artisans cards to the genuine artisans is under process at present.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia, MLA Zadibal, Peer Afaq Ahmad, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, Talat Ahmad, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Industries, Shantmanu and various senior officers from Industries Department. (KMW News)