KUPWARA: The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kupwara today organized an impressive function today to celebrates the 8th National Handloom Day, here.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir was the chief guest at the occasion.
The Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handloom, weavers, artisans and officials of the department also attended the function.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the importance of celebrating the National Handloom Day in the district and encouraged the Artisans and Weavers for adopting the crafts and trades as means of livelihood and earnings.
He directed Assistant Director handicrafts and Handloom to improve quality level of production and introduce new innovative designs as per the latest market trends keeping in view the Globilzation, which will definitely enhance the growth of Handicraft and Handloom Sector as well.
The Deputy Commissioner has also shown keen interest in the traditional crafts of Kashmir especially Kani shawl and said in his first tenure , he had introduced Pashmina Kani Shawl weaving training centers in the district whereby 150 kanishawl weavers have been trained and are earning their decent livelihood by adopting the craft and also had availed benefits of welfare schemes of the department.
He also assured that some more skill development centres are being established to include more uncovered areas of District Kupwara in due course of time.
Khalid Jahangir said the Handicrafts and Handloom sector had a rich history of providing respectable means of livelihood to thousands of people in the valley, especially in rural areas like Kupwara district, adding that efforts are on to restore the pristine glory of the sector.
He appealed to the general public to come forward and support the Handicrafts and Handloom sector by purchasing hand woven products from local weavers.
Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kupwara presented vote of thanks. He said due to combined efforts of district administration, NSDC Certification of artisans and weavers has been done.
It was the first time in the Department as whole that certification of Artisans and weavers has been carried out through National Skill Development Corporation Ministry of Skill Development Government of India.
He said in Kupwara district Department of Handloom has contributed a lot by imparting training to more than 4000 female folk, approximately 1800 weavers are associated with this trade in the district with a considerable self- employment base. For upliftment of handloom weavers, Government of Jammu and Kashmir is providing various interventions like Mudra Scheme, credit facility, marketing support, 10% special rebate on sale of handloom products, education scholarship scheme, loan for purchase of modern looms etc.
Later the Deputy Commissioner inspected various hand woven items and distributed certificates among qualified weavers and artisans at the occasion.
The event witnessed participation of a large number of weavers and artisans. The stalls showcasing the exquisite range of handmade handloom products were also exhibited on the occasion.