SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday urged citizens to support local artisans by purchasing handmade products from Jammu Kashmir, while addressing the Pashmina Artisan Awards Ceremony organised by the Pashmeena Entrepreneurs Makers and Artisans (PEMA) Foundation in Srinagar.
Sinha emphasised that every household in the country should buy creative products crafted by master artisans of the Union Territory (UT). “I am confident the nation’s growing middle class, which could make up over half the population by 2030, will create a strong domestic market for JK’s handmade products,” he said.
Highlighting the UT’s rich creative tradition, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir’s artisans produce unique and ingenious handmade items, and recent initiatives since 2020 have significantly boosted handicraft exports, positioning the UT as a distinctive player in the global crafts market.
“Let us honour and celebrate the products made by the gifted hands. These hands are not just weaving a product. They are weaving magic through every thread, through every intricate design and subtle shades,” Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor detailed government initiatives to strengthen the handicraft and handloom sector, including new schemes and policy interventions under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stressed the development of infrastructure to support both young and master artisans and revive the UT’s cultural and artistic heritage.
Sinha called upon all stakeholder departments to ensure that artisans directly benefit from new GST reforms and urged increased visibility of Jammu Kashmir’s art at airports, shopping malls, and e-commerce platforms, both domestically and internationally. He also highlighted the need to promote artisan hubs on the global craft map, ensuring craftspeople receive recognition and respect for their decades of work.
The Pashmina Artisan Awards recognised excellence across multiple traditional craft categories, with a core focus on the Pashmina sector. The ceremony was attended by Shri Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce; Hina Shafi Bhat, former Chairperson KVIB; Mussarat Zia, Director Handicraft and Handloom Kashmir; Tariq Dar, President of PEMA Foundation; senior officials; members of trade associations; and artisans from across the UT.
