“Buy local and empower our great artisans,” urged the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, while addressing the Pashmina Artisan Awards Ceremony organised by the Pashmeena Entrepreneurs Makers & Artisans (PEMA) Foundation today. The Lieutenant Governor appealed to every household in the country to buy creative products made by the master artisans of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need to empower local artisans through sustained public support.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that India’s rapidly expanding middle class—expected to make up over half the population by 2030—will create a robust domestic market for Jammu and Kashmir’s handmade products.https://himalayanexpress.in/
Highlighting the region’s creative legacy, he said that Jammu and Kashmir is a repository of rich artistic traditions reflected in its exquisite handcrafted goods. Since 2020, various initiatives have significantly boosted handicraft exports and positioned the Union Territory as a distinctive player in the global crafts market, further helping to empower local artisans.
“Let us honour and celebrate the products made by these gifted hands. They are not just weaving products but weaving magic—through every thread, every intricate design, and every subtle shade,” the Lieutenant Governor remarked.
He also outlined several initiatives taken by the government to strengthen the handicraft and handloom sectors, enhance exports, and empower local artisans through new schemes and infrastructure development. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these measures have revived Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and artistic heritage.
Calling upon all departments to ensure that artisans directly benefit from the new GST reforms, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of increasing the visibility of Jammu and Kashmir’s art at major airports, shopping malls, and e-commerce platforms in India and abroad. He underscored the need to empower local artisans by providing due recognition to the skilled hands behind every creation.
“We must promote cities and villages renowned for their artisans on the global craft map so that these craftspeople, who have devoted decades to their art, receive the respect and recognition they truly deserve,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
The Pashmina Artisan Awards honoured excellence across several traditional craft categories, with a special focus on the Pashmina sector.https://himalayanexpress.in/
The event was attended by Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, former Chairperson, KVIB; Mussarat Zia, Director, Handicraft and Handloom Kashmir; Tariq Dar, President, PEMA Foundation; along with senior officials, trade representatives, artisans, and craftspeople.
