Category: BUSINESS

We have robust numbers to back our commitment towards MSME growth in the country: MD & CEO Baldev Prakash

SRINAGAR, APRIL 11: Forging partnership with Chamber of Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) to accelerate growth of manufacturing enterprises, J&K Bank today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the country’s apex chamber of MSMEs that represents their interests and issues with the Government and various Regulators while being active participant in MSME related policymaking.

General Manager (Corporate Banking/MSME/Agriculture) Ashutosh Sareen signed the MoU on behalf of the Bank, while as, President Mukesh Mohan Gupta put in his signatures representing CIMSME in presence of MD & CEO J&K Banl Baldev Prakash, Executive Director Sudhir Gupta, General Manager Narjay Gupta, Director (CIMSME) Subhash Joinwal, DGMs and other senior Bank officials. Bank’s Divisional Heads also joined the function through VC Mode.

While lauding the role of CIMSME in promotion of MSMEs, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash expressed pleasure over the signing of MoU. He said, “As a responsible financial institution we understand that MSME sector plays a critical role in fostering entrepreneurship and generates huge employment opportunities thereby contributing greatly to the country’s GDP. Moreover, MSME lending is profitable for banking industry and we need to translate this MoU into solid business growth especially in the rest of India because this is the sector which complements the large industries in the form of subsidiary units that are vital to the entire eco-system.”

“J&K Bank has always been on the forefront of creating employment opportunities and we have robust numbers to back our commitment towards encouraging the MSME growth in the country. There has been a growth of 440% in the number of Bank’s MSME accounts during the last six years while as the credit exposure to the sector has witnessed 232% increase from Rs 4768 Cr to Rs 15872 Cr.”, he added.

Asserting that MSME sector will bolster economy of the UT and the country alike, MD said, “We will ensure that bankable leads generated by the CIMSME are processed in a time bound manner.”

Speaking on the occasion, President (CIMSME) Mukesh Mohan Gupta said, “We feel honoured for J&K Bank’s acceptance of our request for the tie up. Having J&K Bank on board is great boost for us that will eventually help MSME sector a great deal.”

Citing the lack of awareness about various MSME schemes and processes to avail the facilities, he stressed upon the need to educate lenders particularly at operational levels and borrowers of this sector. He further added, “We will soon be coming up with a web portal for ease of both MSME lenders and borrowers.”

Executive Director, Sudhir Gupta said that signing of the MOU with the apex chamber is akin to forging a partnership that will go a long way in promoting the culture of enterprise across the country while adding to the Bank’s business profile.

Earlier, GM Ashutosh Sareen said that under the tie-up CIMSME will not only source the MSME/Start-up proposals across the country but will conduct due diligence of these proposals as per the Bank policy and RBI Guidelines. And once CIMSME is satisfied with the financials and track records of the company/firm, the leads will be shared with the Bank for further processing.

Notably, the Bank provided benefits of employment to around 92000 youth till March 2023, under the J&K Government’s flagship programmes ‘Back to Village 4.0’ and ‘My Town My Pride’ – a feat that has been hailed by the UT Government and people alike.

Releases Economic Survey 2022-23 of the UT

JAMMU, MARCH 31: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today released the Economic Survey 2022-23 of the UT, a document presenting the elaborate picture of the economy of J&K for the closing financial year prepared by Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Planning Development & Monitoring Department.

On the occasion the Chief Secretary observed that the document is vital in gauging the progress made by the UT. He also called the document a true account of what we have achieved during the financial year.

He complimented the Department for coming up with this Survey at an opportune time. He said that the survey presents a fine picture of our economic trajectory which is encouraging for all of us. He remarked that the yearly economic growth of the UT is a notch higher than National average which shows that approach we have adopted during last few years is working well for the economy.

The Survey reports that J&K is expected to grow at 8 per cent as against 7 per cent at National level during 2022-23 at Constant Prices. At Current Prices, GSDP of J&K is expected to record a growth of 15% which is at par with National level. Economy of J&K grew faster than the national average in recent years.

It further stated the GSDP is likely to be doubled in the next five years with emphasis on service sector, industries, agriculture, horticulture and tourism. UT Revenue Performance (Tax plus Non-Tax) is expected to double during current year.

The Survey has also applauded the time bound policies, action plans and development strategies being implemented to carry forward and sustain the positive environment and momentum of economic development. It also talks about various reforms initiated for good governance and transparency which includes, IT enabled innovations in administration like Janbhagidari, E-stamping, PaySys, BEAMS, eHRMS, e-GRAS, e-office, GST which are more secure, cheaper, efficient, time saving and reliable compared to the previous systems.

Besides the document brings forth the unique reformative initiatives like District Good Governance Index, Aspirational Blocks Development Programme, Aspirational Panchayat Development Programme, and Aspirational Towns Programme rolled out first time in the country.

It also discusses the prime ranking of J&K it got in different parameters of registering growth and development. Be it the Ist rank among the UTs in its e-office uptake in almost 400 offices with disposal rate of 97 %, first rank among UT’s in Renewable Energy Development, Ist rank among the UTs in registration coverage under e-SHRAM, Ist rank among the UTs in issuance of SWAMITVA Cards, 2nd rank in Nasha Mukt Abhaan, 2nd rank in performance under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav, 3rd rank at all India level in terms of total road length constructed under PMGSY, 4th rank in incremental progress of SDG, or 5th rank in reducing regulatory compliances burden under ease of doing business at All India Level.

In terms of achievements it makes out that the road network is extended to all the habitations with population over 250 persons as per 2001 census, facilitating growth and development across the UT. World class National highways, expressways, tunnels, bridges, flyovers, ring roads are coming up. J&K’s Rail link is expected to be connected to All India during 2023. Airports are also being upgraded. The Urban development is also high on agenda, smart city projects are being implemented in the capital cities of the UT,the Survey presents.

Regarding power generation capacity it says the same is likely to be doubled in 4 years and tripled in next 8 years. The response of people to the outreach programmes like My Town My Pride (MTMP) and Back to Village Four (B2V4) was also highlighted  in this report.

In education sector the indicators have shown notable improvement as per the survey. Adoption of National Education Policy 2020 and the J&K Education Investment Policy 2020 has set in new challenging targets for J&K. Quality education with provision of skill and research has been introduced at higher education level. The youth of J&K are being motivated to attain higher levels of expertise in productive skills and sports sectors, as per the report.

As far as the Tourism sector is concerned, it says that J&K is developing 75 new tourist destinations, 75 heritage/cultural sites, 75 sufism/religious sites & 75 adventure treks/sites attracting potential for all the four seasons in the areas of nature, adventure, pilgrimage, heritage, sports etc.  More areas of tourism like amusement, water parks, adventure (water sports, Rafting, Rock climbing, Snow parks) etc and entertainment are being explored to attract more tourists.

Empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions is proving game changer as per this Survey. The centrally sponsored flagship schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY, SBM(G) being implemented are rejuvenating the rural landscape of J&K. It further goes on to say that SBM(G) has brought J&K an open defecation free status by providing IHHLs to 1952 villages. Under PMAY(G) 30381 families (1.14 Lakhs cumulative) were provided financial assistance for construction of Pucca houses besides numerous water bodies were rejuvenated under AmritSarovars scheme.

With respect to empowerment of women, the beneficiary oriented schemes are helping women in realising better lives for them and their families. UT envisions achieving Sustainable Integrated Development focusing on Connectivity, Eco-friendly Modern Infrastructure to meet people’s expectations with Transparent Governance over next 25 years. Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture and Power clubbed with Improved Infrastructure, Connectivity, Logistics, better Health and Education facilities, Digital Governance and effective Grievance Redressal Mechanisms shall be the core areas for realizing Vision 2047, suggests the Economic Survey 2022-23.

Those who were present on the occasion includes Secretary, PD&MD; DG, Planning; Directors of Planning of different Departments besides other officers of the department.

 SRINAGAR, MARCH 28:  Director, Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today presided over the valediction function of the 10-Day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) held at Centre for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) in Srinagar. 

The EDP was organized by JKEDI for aspiring female entrepreneurs. The candidates were apprised about basic business concepts like business plan formulation, marketing plans, accounts management, and many other topics of relevance. 

While speaking on the occasion, Director JKEDI congratulated the budding entrepreneurs and assured them that the Institute will continue to provide support in the future as well.

 “I assure all the budding entrepreneurs present here that our institute will handhold and support anyone in need,” said Director, JKEDI. 

He also informed the candidates that they should take advantage of technology and social media to expand their business. 

“Innovation and technology are vital for any startup, and I am certain that you can strengthen your ventures by adopting new technology.”

“Women are proving their mettle in every field and entrepreneurship is no exception. They should come forward and avail benefits under different government schemes,” he added.

Later in the function, the Director distributed certificates among the successful candidates. A number of the trained female entrepreneurs who participated in the valediction ceremony said that with the training program, they have gained a lot of confidence to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

 In Charge, CWE presented a vote of thanks and emphasized the need for the participation of females in such schemes and programs to overcome the menace of unemployment in the UT of J&K.

JAMMU, MARCH 25: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) participated Source India Bangladesh 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Exhibition was organized by Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) with support of Department of Commerce, Govt. of India.

The event was inaugurated by Pratik Negi, First Secretary, Economic & Commerce, High Commission of India, Dhaka in presence of Md. Anowar Hossain-General Secretary, Bangladesh Food Stuffs Import & Suppliers Association (BAFISA) and Abul Kalam Azad -Secretary General, Bangladesh Chemical Importers & Merchant Association.

This event provided the gateway to the Food Processing Companies, Basic Chemical, Dyes and Pigments, Edible Chemicals  sector of India to enter the Bangladesh market. The event was a perfect B2B platform for our manufacturers to showcase their products under one roof in the Bangladesh Market. This event has provided an interactive platform for our delegates to generate business through product displays, direct interaction with the Buyers.

JKTPO in collaboration with TPCI, facilitated the participation of 09 entrepreneurs of J&K from Agro and  Food Processing industry for the event  from J&K. The J&K exhibitors received very good response from the buyers and around 500+ business lead were generated by them in the event. Products like Saffron, Canned Cherries, Honey, Fresh Fruits, Walnuts, Dry fruits, Aromatic oils,  etc received very good response from the buyers.

The participants from J&K received very good response in this B2B event.  M.A Khan from Being Well India quoted – “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the fantastic event “Source India Bangladesh”  that JKTPO organized at Dhaka. It was truly an incredible experience, and I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work and effort that went into making it a success”. From VKC Nuts Gagan Jain said “The event was well organized and great networking opportunity amongst the companies attending.

Irfan Shiekh from Al Dua Foods said “I made several promising business connections and met several potential business partners. The event provided us the platform to interact with Top food industries of Bangladesh. We networked and shared product samples with most of the participants. We sincerely believe that most of the business meeting will into potential partnership/ buyers.”

Around 75 Companies from multiple sectors and over the India including  Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc. participated in “Source India Bangladesh 2023“. Around 500+Buyers attended the event for their sourcing requirements and networking with Indian exhibitors. Representatives from Bangladeshi companies like Shwapno supermarket, Amana Group, Square Food & Beverages, Pran Group etc.  to explore the possibilities of business collaboration in Bangladesh.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 21: A delegation of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) today called upon MD & CEO J&K Bank, Baldev Prakash at Corporate Headquarters. During the introductory meeting, MD & CEO felicitated the newly elected members of KCCI executive body led by President Javed Ahmed Tenga.

Bank’s General Managers Ashutosh Sareen, Syed Rais Maqbool, Syed Shujaat Hussain, Divisional Head (Kashmir) Syed Shafat Hussain, Zonal Head (Srinagar) Shabir Ahmad along with DGMs were also present at the meeting  besides senior KCCI office-bearers Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi and others.

Speaking on the occasion, MD & CEO Baldev Prakash dwelt upon the long-lasting relationship between the chamber and the Bank saying, “J&K Bank is your Bank, which has always supported businesses in a very pro-active manner. While carrying forward the rich legacy spanning over decades of mutual progress, we plan to take this association to another level in coming times.”

“Whatever is required to further strengthen the relationship will be done within the regulatory guidelines, for I truly believe that our progress is interlinked with your growth. And we need to join forces to accelerate the socio-economic development of this place”, he added.

Earlier, the members thanked the Bank for its continued financial support especially to ensure continuity and revival of businesses during difficult times like 2014 floods, Covid19 etc. The delegation also put on record its appreciation of the management for recently taken measures especially rolling out One Time Settlement Schemes and establishment of LCUs.

While stressing upon the need to engage each other at various levels, members of the delegation assured the Bank’s management of complete cooperation from KCCI whenever and wherever required.

Congratulates all award winners for their commendable service to preserve and promote priceless cultural and artistic heritage

Administration has taken important steps to boost handicraft and handloom sector: LG Sinha

We are committed to provide training, design, technology, financial and other infrastructure support that will significantly contribute to the growth of handicraft & handloom sector and earnings of artisans: LG

SRINAGAR, MARCH 18: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha presented the UT Level Award to the Artisans at Raj Bhavan auditorium today.

The Lt Governor congratulated all the award winners for their commendable service to preserve and promote priceless cultural and artistic heritage.

The Lt Governor said administration has taken several important steps to boost handicraft and handloom sector.

We are committed to provide training, design, technology, financial and other infrastructure support that will significantly contribute to the growth of this sector and earnings of artisans, he added.

The Lt Governor said an unprecedented growth has been recorded in the last three months and this sector has registered Rs 729 crore worth export despite the instability in the global market and it shows the collective efforts of artisans and handicraft department.

 More than 3 lakh artisans are registered with the department. Number of steps like enhanced financial assistance, 7% interest subvention, training, assistance to 3000 Self Help Groups and cooperative societies have been taken to accelerate the development of this sector, he added.

 The Lt Governor also spoke on the various other efforts of the UT administration such as GI tagging, labeling, brand building, incentives to increase exports and ensure access to the global market.

“The Department has launched e-commerce platforms to empower the artisans,” the Lt Governor said. 

Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister, J&K has set a new record in Village Industrial Unit. In the last financial year, 1.73 lakh new jobs were generated under PMEGP alone, he added.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor directed the Department of Handlooms and Handicrafts to develop a mechanism for further increasing the export in the sector and changing the lives of artisans and craftsmen.

Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Sh Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce; Sh Vijay Kumar Biduri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, other senior officers of Handicraft & Handloom Department, besides large gathering of awardees and artisans were present.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 14: With a view to provide its customers a wider range of life-insurance products and services, Jammu and Kashmir Bank today entered into an agreement with the country’s insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.

General Manager (Cross Selling Vertical) Narjay Gupta signed the agreement on behalf of J&K Bank, while as, Regional Manager (MBAC) P K Saxena put in his signatures representing LIC India in presence of Bank’s Executive Director Sudhir Gupta, General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool, LIC of India’s Senior Divisional Manager Dinesh Tanania besides senior officials of J&K Bank and LIC of India at Bank’s corporate headquarters. The agreement will be effective from April 1, 2023.

Terming the agreement a milestone set to benefit Bank’s growing clientele, Executive Director Sudhir Gupta said on the occasion, “With customer welfare at the heart of Bank’s policies, the tie-up with LIC of India – a premier insurance company in the country – will provide our customers an access to wider range of products that LIC offers while adding to Bank’s non-interest income. This association will surely be beneficial to both the organisations.”

Pleased with the tie-up P K Saxena hoped that association between two leaders in their own operational domains will script a new chapter of success in serving the people. He said, “We are excited with the journey we have embarked upon with leading financial institution in UTs of J&K and Ladakh. By offering the industry-best insurance related products and services to customers, I am sure our company will gain greatly from J&K Bank’s extensive network of touch points selling our products.”

Sounding optimism General Manager Narjay Gupta said, “LIC’s products and J&K Bank’s second-to-none services will bring laurels to both the institutions going forward as the agreement will provide greater choice of insurance solutions to the customers.”

On the occasion General Manager Syed Rais Maqbool asserted that both the organisations will live up to the expectations of their stakeholders so as to build further on their reputation. “Our country has a vision to insure every individual in the times to come. I think this collaboration will play its part greatly in achieving the national goal across our operational geographies”, he added.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 13: With a view to facilitate its customers, J&K Bank today entered into an agreement with Ludhiana-based Seth Industrial Corporation (SIC) – one of the leading manufacturers in wide assortment of electric vehicles like e-Bikes, e-Scooters, e-Rickshaws in the country under the Brand name ‘Neelam’.

Deputy General Manager Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat signed the MoU on behalf of the Bank while as Rajesh Seth put in his signatures as Joint Director/Partner of SIC in presence of Business Head (SIC) Ranbir Singh Saini during a function organised at the corporate headquarters of J&K Bank.

Speaking on the occasion, DGM Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat said, “Through this tie-up we are happy to offer easy, affordable and attractive financing solutions to our customers while encouraging electric vehicular transport in the country. As part of our green policy initiatives, we are already partnering with many such electric vehicle manufacturers throughout our operational geographies.”

While commenting on the importance of affordable financing, Rajesh Seth said that the demand for electric vehicles was only growing but easy and hassle-free finance was the main supply-side constraint. “However, after signing the MoU with J&K Bank, which is the premiere financial institution in UTs of J&K and Ladakh with strategic presence across the country; I feel the partnership will enable us to scale our operations and provide eco-friendly ride besides sustainable livelihood to our common clientele.”

Notably, the bank’s customers can avail a range of concessions from SIC that primarily includes over the counter discount of Rs 3000 along with three free services without charge. Also, the clients availing finance from J&K Bank can avail the company’s extended warranty period of 3 years on Lithium Batteries instead of 2 years for general customers besides 21 months warranty time on other batteries instead of 18.

SRINAGAR: On a cold morning, a group of men on their small boats are looking for something on mid waters in world famed Dal Lake here. Are they up so early to catch rainbows? Surely not! They have no nets or angling rods. Are they there to collect fodder? No! So, guess it right – Dal does not grow green leaves on surface in winters. Well, actually the two Pheran clad men are up too early to pluck the most sought after aquatic vegetable’ –the organic Lotus Stem or Nadru as called in local parlance.

Growing naturally in major lakes in Kashmir, Nadru  continues to tease taste buds and powers livelihood in the valley.

Equipped with a long stick, two Dal inhabitants 48-year-old Bahir Ahmad Akhoon and a 46-year-old Mushtaq Ahmad Akhoon are continuously dowsing the waters to locate lotus stem. As soon as they feel the obstacle with long stick, they immediately pull it out with the help of a Shum, a metal fork tied at the end of the rod. And on the surface pops up the long, cylindrical creamy white lotus stems, one of the prized vegetables of Kashmir.

Though the organically cultivated Nadru grows naturally in all the major water bodies of valley, Dal Nadur or a lotus stem from Dal lake is regarded as the best quality for its exquisite taste and whitish color.

Nadrus grow mainly between the autumn and summers. By end of March, Nadru farmers pluck out edible lotus stems worth crores.

Used widely by the valleities, Nadru has a lion’s share in Kashmir’s cuisine. Be it Eid and Navroz for Muslims or Shivratri for Kashmiri Pandit families, the waterborne vegetable is essential part of local culture.

Near and dear ones are invited and served cuisine made from Nadru. It is hardly possible that a Nadru dish is not served to invitees during the feasts organized in Kashmir families during winters.

“My son who studies abroad is returning home after a gap of one year. I am going to prepare Nadru dish for him, as he likes them the most. I am exploring what else to get with them,” says Hafeeza Akhtar from Srinagar’s Lal Bazar, while carrying a bunch of large sized Nadru in a bag.

Lotus stem is often prepared with fish that makes them ‘Nader Gaade’, a dish loved by one and all. ‘Nader Haakh’, lotus stem and Collard Green and ‘Nader Muje’, Lotus stem and radish are among the traditional dishes made from locally produced Nadru. Besides there are variety of foods ranging from street chaats to snacks and dishes whose essential ingredient is famed Nadru. In some neighbourhoods of Dal and Anchaar lake, where the lotus grows in abundance, people can be often seen drying the stuff on attics to keep it for summer use.

Such is the craze for this edible stem of symbolic lotus plant that it serves as a token of love or prized gift in Kashmir culture. A bunch of Nadru stems is a prized gift or treat exchanged between the acquaintances, friends or relatives especially during winters and festivities.

While adding colour to valley cuisine these lotus stems are a source of livelihood too. From cultivation to marketing, hundreds of families across Kashmir benefit from it. A cultivator, vegetable sellers or nadru dealer, everyone gets their share from its trade.

“I have been cultivating nadru for past 20 years. Whole men folk, my two sons and  I usually harvest 10,000 to 12,000 bunches of lotus stem every year. This aquatic commodity is our major source of income,” Ghulam Mohammad Akhoon told the Valley Observer while plucking the lotus stems in Dal. “At times, I often hire people to pluck the stuff as the demand upticks during severe cold. During this period, most of people prefer to stay indoors and like to cherish Nadru dishes,”

Before being sold in market, these lotus stems are arranged in bunches, which are graded according to the length and girth of stems in a bunch. An average Nadru bunch weighing about 2 kilograms fetches between Rs 200 to Rs 300. There are some bunches which are priced up to Rs 900 in the market. The price of edible stems shoots up during festivities however.

The cultural legacy of Nadru continues despite the waterborne crop faced a near total wipe-out from Dal and Anchaar waters during the devastating floods in September 2014. In the wake of floods, many Nadru cultivators had rented  marshy lands in the neighboring district of Ganderbal, preserved seed there and then again propagated it in these lakes. Thanks to these resilient Nadru cultivators, lotus in a full bloom is again a popular sight on Dal and adjacent waterbodies in the valley. The prized vegetable has re emerged as a main aquatic crop of the valley and  continues to fuel the livelihoods of hundreds of families associated with the trade.

Meanwhile Akhoon who is dowsing the Dal waters, finds his catch, a long lotus stem -the Nadru!

Nasir Yousufi

SRINAGAR: In a small room of a single-storied house, a 45-year-old single mother, Nargis who lives with her two children in Chanpora here seems jubilant as she places the much anticipated table-sized thread spinning machine in the corner of her room.
Unable to believe that the spinning wheel she had thrown away nine years back has returned to her house -in a new avatar with a promise of economic prosperity.
A modern spinning wheel, modern charkha or modern yinder as called in the local parlance is the latest innovation in Valley’s Pashmina industry that has off late rejuvenated the faith of Pashmina wool spinners in the craft.
The world-famed Pashmina shawls have been a hallmark of Kashmir handicrafts. And the role of women in powering this craft through their unmatched spinning skills is an open secret.
Many Kashmiri women particularly from Srinagar households have been spinning Pashmina and Shahtosh for ages. There are hundreds of legends from yore eulogizing the valor of women, who raised their families from income made from spinning yarn on charkha.

They say as lifestyles shift, so does the household expenditures. By at the turnaround of this millennium, most of these Pashmina wool spinners either hanged these charkhas over attic or send them to scrap for sitting on them meant meager returns. Like Nargis, most of such weavers had shifted to other works more profitable than the traditional spinning of Pashmina wool.
But then, the spinning craft is back with a bang.

And it’s essentially thanks to the group of scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology or SKUAST Kashmir, who developed the modern charkha, which has not only rejuvenated the hopes of spinners but the women who are using it claim to earn two to three hundred percent more than what they usually used to earn from traditional yinder.
“With the increased cost of living, to meet the two ends from a meager earning of Rs 30-40 per day from the age old yinder was impractical. So I had to shift from kataen kaem or hand spinning of yarn to some other feasible work almost thirteen years back,” said Arifa Bilal, a 45-year-old Pashmina wool spinner from old City of Srinagar. “But deep in my heart, I always missed that old yinder as the wheel had helped my mother… Fortunately, I came to know about its new avatar, got few days of training in handling this wheel and thanks to Almighty, I am able to earn about Rs 250 to 300 a day now,” added Arifa while sitting beside her charkha.
Introduced by SKUAST-K in 2022, the Modern Yinder is a pedal driven charkha fitted on the table. The pedal driven charkha is much easier to operate than the older wooden ‘yinder’ and has almost doubled the output for these women spinners.

Dr Sarfaraz Ahmad, who was a part of SKUAST-K team that innovated the novel yinder said that the modern charkha has health benefits as well. “Earlier the women used to sit behind the traditional yinder but the modern charkha provides her comfort of sitting on a chair while spinning the wheel”, he told the Valley Observer.
Seconding Dr Ahmad, Sameena Akhtar, a newlywed woman from Srinagar said that given the design of modern yinder, she is able to operate it on ease despite “backache and disc issues.”
The redesigned charkha has been a game changer. It is attracting hundreds of women towards the trade. Many women who had left the spinning have resumed and earn more. A training centre run by a Pashmina dealer in Srinagar has trained hundreds of women so far in operating pedal driven new charkha.
“This pedal driven charkha has helped in increasing the output of hand spun Pashmina Yarn. Together at this centre, we have trained almost 200 women including young girls in operating the novel yinder,” said Ishfaq Qadri who runs the centre at his Me & K Pashmina House in downtown Srinagar. Qadri who is known for selling famed Pashmina Shawls to different parts of the world has so far distributed more than 40 modern charkha’s free of cost among the spinning community.
“Such technological interventions are definitely helpful in increasing both the produce as well as the income of weavers, which forms an essential ingredient in the revival of Pashmina industry in the valley,” he added.
Experts believe that the development is the beginning of an era of revival of once a hallmark of Kashmir- the hand -woven Pashmina shawl business.
Boosting the morale of hand woven Pashmina wool spinners in the valley, Government has also fixed the minimum selling price for one knot at Rs 2.5, which has given a further push to once the mainstay craft of women folk mainly from downtown Srinagar.
According to Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director Handicrafts & Handlooms Department Kashmir, the craftswomen spinning hand woven Pashmina yarn play a pivotal role in the Pashmina craft and his department is trying its best to ensure the benefits of famed craft trickles down to every stakeholder.
As for the single mother Nargis, she spins the modern charkha to earn her livelihood like never before!