SHOPIAN: An Awareness cum Exhibition Camp with the theme ‘Encouraging Cooperatives towards Self Reliance’ was today organised by the Handicrafts and Handloom department at Gagren, Shopian.
The camp was presided over by Assistant Director Handicraft and Handloom Shopian, Aadil Yousuf Wani along with Assistant Director Handicraft and Handloom Pulwama Mohammad Yaseen.
Speaking on the occasion, the Assistant Director Handicrafts Shopian highlighted various benefits of Cooperative formation in length and said that a robust mechanism has been put in place for providing benefits to the artisans/cooperatives at grassroots level.
The artisans were asked to come forward and avail the benefits of various centrally sponsored schemes especially meant for women artisans so that their handmade products are sold outside the UT which will give more recognition to their products and they are able to earn their livelihood in a more profitable way.
Other guest speakers also delivered lectures on the theme and sensitized the participants about various flagship programmes and schemes available in the department, with special reference to Cooperatives.
During the camp, the artisans and weavers were sensitized about the benefits of training being provided by the department of Handicrafts and Handloom. They were also assured of financial assistance.
The Officers and officials of Handicrafts and Handloom, Shopian, representatives from Directorate of Handicrafts Srinagar, Cooperatives, Shopian besides a good number of Artisans and Weavers of various registered cooperatives of the district participated in the programme.