Valley Observer Weekly Newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 6: Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar organized daylong seminar on “Handicrafts in Shahr-e-Khas: Challenges and Opportunities” today on 06th August 2025.

The event brought together a confluence of renowned artisans, academicians, industrialists, researchers, students, and officials from the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, all committed to rejuvenating the traditional handicrafts sector rooted in the historic downtown Srinagar popularly known as Shahr-e-Khas.

The seminar was formally inaugurated by the Principal of the College, Professor (Dr.) Tehmina Yousuf, who in her presidential address, emphasized the critical need to preserve and revitalize Kashmir’s rich artistic legacy. She underscored the importance of bridging the traditional knowledge systems of artisans with modern market mechanism through academia-industry linkages and innovation. Prof. Tehmina stated that such platforms are vital in creating sustainable, entrepreneurial, and economically viable ecosystems for the region’s heritage crafts.

Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Jhat, Convenor, Innovation & Incubation Centre welcomed the distinguished dignitaries, experts and participants. He elaborated on the College’s vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship especially among the youth in the realm of traditional crafts.

The seminar witnessed insightful deliberations by eminent speakers including, Prof. Arshad Suleh, Head, Department of Art, College of Education, who deliberated on the existential challenges threatening this traditional sector such as limited global exposure, dwindling artisan engagement, and market competition from machine-made replicas.

Dr. Syed Iliyas Rizvi, Founder, Education Revival Through Art & Aesthetics in Kashmir, provided a vivid historical overview of Kashmir’s artisanal legacy. He passionately advocated for youth engagement, institutional support, and policy backing to revive the handicraft sector. gave crystal clear picture of the Art and artesian of the Kashmir in general and Shaher-e-Khaas in particular.

Dr. Syed Iliyas Rizvi, took the audiences back into the days of history when this art was the backbone of Kashmir. Dr. Syed Iliyas Rizvi, stressed the importance of institutional support and youth participation to rejuvenate the handicraft ecosystem. He gave insights picture on heritage conservation, export challenges, design innovation, digital marketing, to policy interventions and incubation opportunities.

Prof. Fayaz A. Nika, Director, DIC Dean, School of Management Studies, Central University of Kashmir, highlighted the role of higher education institutions and scientific innovation in revitalizing the crafts industry and addressing bottlenecks.

Ms. Aamina Asad, Chief Designer, Department of Handicrafts & Handlooms, J&K, and Dr. Yasir A. Mir, Assistant Professor, NIFT Srinagar, who both contributed with key insights on design innovation, modern branding strategies, and digital outreach.

The seminar featured panel discussions and interactive sessions, enabling students, young researchers, and budding entrepreneurs to explore innovative start-up models and business frameworks centered around traditional crafts. Participants deliberated on themes such as heritage conservation, design development, export potential, digitization, marketing, and incubation opportunities.

Several artisans from the downtown areas of Srinagar enriched the event with their lived experiences, highlighting on-ground realities and the resilience of the craft sector. The event also attracted research scholars and experts from reputed institutions and central universities.

Principal Professor Tehmina Yousuf, in her concluding remarks, lauded the Innovation & Incubation Centre for conceptualizing and executing a seminar of contemporary relevance in the campus. She reiterated the College’s commitment towards supporting indigenous craft practices, artisan welfare, and community-based entrepreneurship through sustained academic and institutional engagement.

The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Zahoor A. Jhat, who expressed sincere gratitude to all speakers, participants, guests, media representatives, and college administration for their support in making the seminar a resounding success. The proceedings of the seminar were eloquently anchored by Miss Tanzella, a 5th Semester student of the College.

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 4 – Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, today announced release of ₹33.34 lakh for the implementation of its Karkhandar Scheme across the Kashmir Division.
This significant financial allocation, disbursed to the respective Assistant Directors of Handicrafts and Handloom, underscores the Government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the rich artisanal heritage of the region while ensuring the welfare and economic upliftment of craftsmen.
The Karkhandar Scheme, notified in 2021, is a landmark initiative designed to revive languishing crafts like pottery and foster sustainable development of the craft sector in UT of J&K. Implemented by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, the scheme aims to empower artisans, enhance skill development, and boost the livelihoods of craftsmen through structured interventions.
Highlighting its role in revival of languishing crafts, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, stated that the Karkhandar Scheme focuses on preserving traditional crafts such as walnut wood carving, silver filigree, carpet weaving, Kani shawl weaving, Khatamband, papier-mâché, and others like Sozni, tapestry, and engraved copperware, which face a shortage of skilled artisans. “It prioritizes crafts at risk of extinction, ensuring their legacy endures. It also facilitates skill transfer from master craftsmen, including National/State/Shilp Guru awardees, to the younger generation,” he said, adding meritorious trainees from departmental training centres receive advanced training in nearby Karkhanas to enhance their expertise and productivity.
Trainees receive a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 during the six-month training period, disbursed via direct bank transfer. “Karkhandars are provided ₹25,000 in two equal installments to cover logistics, tools, equipment, and raw materials, along with ₹2,000 per trainee per month to support their efforts.
This financial release of Rs. 33.34 lakh will empower Assistant Directors, in first phase, of Anantnag, Budgam, Baramulla, Kulgam, and Srinagar districts to accelerate the scheme’s implementation, ensuring artisans receive the necessary resources, training, and support to thrive.

SRINAGAR, JULY 17: Demonstrating its sustained efforts in skill development and artisan empowerment, Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has recorded a cumulative revenue generation of more than ₹1.07 crore over the last three financial years through sale of products crafted by trainees at departmental training centres across the valley.

In a press statement issued here today, spokesman from the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, stated that this revenue, fully deposited in the Government Treasuries, has been realized from the sale of a wide range of handicraft and handloom products produced by trainees enrolled in over 400 departmental training centres which include Pashmina products, Sozni, Crewel, Chain Stitch, Kani Shawl, carpets and a variety of handloom fabrics, reflecting the region’s rich craft heritage. “This also reflects a perfect example of how funds released by the Government are recycled back into the system and utilized for development activities related to promotion of craft sector,” he added.

Department views this achievement as a testament to its ongoing efforts in nurturing traditional skills and enhancing the earning potential of local artisans. By integrating practical, market-oriented production into training modules, Department ensures that trainees gain not just technical proficiency but also a real-time understanding of commercial aspects of the craft sector.

Efforts are underway to further modernize training infrastructure, introduce contemporary design elements and forge stronger market linkages through departmental sale outlets and participation in national-level exhibitions. These steps aim to ensure that products crafted by trainees find broader markets while helping preserve the unique handicraft and handloom traditions of Kashmir.
The Department remains committed to expanding these initiatives, thereby creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the youth and artisan community of the Union Territory.

Also provides monthly stipend ranging from ₹1000 to ₹3750; ₹7500 under Guru-Shishya Scheme

SRINAGAR, JULY 11: In a major boost to expand the pool of trained human resource, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar, under the aegis of Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, has master trained around 11,000 carpet weavers from different districts, under various skill development programmes.

The weavers have been trained on modified carpet looms which shall go a long way in penetrating niche markets for the famed hand-knotted carpets, which is the second most exported handmade product from Kashmir.

In a press statement released here today, Director IICT, Zubair Ahmad said that the services of master trainers who have distinguished themselves in the field of carpet weaving are availed to train skilled and semi-skilled carpet weavers in different batches, both in IICT premises at Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan and carpet clusters of different districts. “This face-to-face interaction and training shall go a long way in safeguarding the rare skill of weaving intricate hand-knotted carpets, which have a huge export market, both within and outside the country,” he stated.

The exports of hand-knotted carpets from Kashmir have touched ₹838.70 crore in the last three financial years, despite challenges due to global conflicts which have affected markets in Middle East and other destinations.

In order to make the training programmes more attractive for trainees, IICT also provides monthly stipend as per Scheme Guidelines. “The stipend for these short-term training programmes of 4-6 months’ duration with intake capacity of 20, ranges from ₹1000 to ₹3750 per month under various skill-based schemes of Ministry of Textiles,” he added.

The training programmes include Skill Upgradation and Capacity Building Training & Short-Term Training Programmes of the Ministry of Textiles and Skill Development Training Programme of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Director also stated that under the Guru-Shishya Hastshilp Programme, the services of National Awardees shall be availed to provide skill upgradation training to registered carpet weavers. “Under this 2-month training programme, each trainee shall be provided a stipend of ₹7500 per month,” he stated.