During a two-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Hon’ble Minister of State Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited the traditional crafts cluster of Mirgund Pattan, Baramulla.

The visit was part of a Government of India outreach programme aimed at connecting with people on the ground and monitoring the execution of different Central Government Schemes in the UT.

Mr. Arshad Mir, Chairman of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council, and Mr. Krishan Kumar, CEO of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council, took him around the centre, which is well-equipped with all of the infrastructure and raw materials for the region’s traditional crafts, such as carpets, embroidery, paper machine, and Namda products.

Mr. Arshad Mir also briefed the Hon’ble Minister on the process of making handicrafts, as well as the sector’s growth and possibilities. The Chairman stressed the need for skill development in the handicraft industry in order to not only resuscitate the region’s traditional and cultural heritage crafts, but also to provide work possibilities for artists and weavers.

Hon’ble Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his delight after speaking with the artisans about the great art and talent displayed by the locals. He stated that a specific emphasis will be placed on the development of local artists through the skilling and up-skilling program. He also presented certificates of recognition to local artists who had successfully completed training and assessments in the various job roles of the Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council in accordance with the National Skills Qualifications Framework as part of the Skill India Mission.

Jammu and Kashmir handicrafts have gained international acclaim for their delicate refinement and artistic grace. These crafts have a wide range of applications and are in high demand. There are approximately five lakh artists in the state who rely only on handicrafts for a living, and there is still a lot of scope for more jobs to be created in this sector if markets are extended and demand is boosted.