Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Friday urged citizens to “buy local” and support the UT’s skilled artisans, highlighting the role of handcrafted products in preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage and boosting livelihoods.
Addressing the Pashmina Artisan Awards Ceremony organised by the Pashmeena Entrepreneurs Makers & Artisans (PEMA) Foundation in Srinagar, LG Sinha emphasized that every household in the country should purchase products crafted by the master artisans of Jammu and Kashmir.
“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 J&K’s handmade products,” he said.
Highlighting the UT’s creative legacy, he added, “Jammu and Kashmir is a repository of rich traditions, which manifest in unique and ingenious handmade products. Let us honour and celebrate the products made by these gifted hands. They are not just weaving a product; they are weaving magic through every thread, intricate design, and subtle shades.”
LG Sinha also outlined various government initiatives aimed at strengthening the handicraft and handloom sector, noting that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, new schemes, policy interventions, and infrastructure development have provided comprehensive support to both young and master artisans. These initiatives, he said, have revitalized the UT’s cultural and artistic heritage while boosting handicraft exports.
The Lieutenant Governor urged all stakeholder departments to ensure that artisans directly benefit from GST reforms. He emphasized increasing visibility of J&K’s crafts at major airports, shopping malls, and e-commerce platforms, both in India and abroad, while giving recognition to the skilled hands behind each product.
He further called for promoting cities and villages renowned for their artisans on the global craft map, ensuring that craftspeople who have practiced these arts for decades receive the respect and acknowledgment they deserve.
The Pashmina Artisan Awards recognized excellence across multiple categories of traditional craft, with a core focus on the Pashmina sector.
The ceremony was attended by Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, former Chairperson KVIB; SMussarat Zia, Director Handicraft and Handloom Kashmir; Tariq Dar, President, PEMA Foundation; along with senior officials, members of trade and business associations, and artisans.
