SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday inaugurated the ‘Know Your Artisan’ programme at Kashmir Haat under the Handicrafts and Handloom Department’s ongoing ‘Soulful Kashmir’ brand promotion initiative aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s traditional craft sector.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a GI Testing Lab, giant LED video walls, and launched advanced fibre analysis equipment along with the DesignNWeave software developed by IICT Srinagar.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Tanvir Sadiq and Salman Sagar, and senior officials of the Industries and Commerce Department.
The initiative is part of efforts to promote “Brand JK” and highlight the region’s handicrafts and handloom heritage. Officials said the programme is designed to provide artisans with direct market access, better value for their products, and greater visibility for traditional crafts.
During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected live demonstration stalls under the ‘Try Your Hands’ segment and interacted with artisans, including Shilp Gurus, National Awardees, and JK Award winners. He also tried his hand at yarn warping, a key process in pashmina weaving, and appreciated prototypes displayed by design institutions.
A total of 30 display-cum-sale counters showcasing handmade products have been set up at the exhibition gallery in Kashmir Haat.
Speaking on the occasion, Omar Abdullah said artisans are custodians of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural identity and stressed the need to institutionalize the ‘Know Your Artisan’ programme as a regular feature with wider outreach. He also urged people to visit Kashmir Haat to experience authentic Kashmiri crafts and support local artisans through direct purchases.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding such initiatives across multiple locations to boost visibility, market access, and socio-economic upliftment of the artisan community.
Officials said the campaign is expected to draw a strong response from visitors and stakeholders, further strengthening efforts to position Jammu and Kashmir as a global hub for handicrafts and handloom products.
