CM Omar asks World Craft Council to help J&K unlock its craft potential

New Delhi, Nov 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday asked the World Craft Council to help Jammu and Kashmir unlock its craft potential.

Speaking at the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the World Craft Council (WCC)’s ‘Craft, Creativity and Compassion’ event in New Delhi, CM Omar said that organisations like WCC could assist J&K in unlocking its full potential in handicrafts and making it sustainable in the years to come.

A key highlight of the event was the announcement of the collaboration between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the WCC to establish a World Craft Hub and International Crafts Museum in Srinagar.

Emphasising the importance of crafts in preserving cultural identity and giving a fillip to the economic growth, the CM said, “J&K is proud of its rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in traditional craftsmanship. The handicrafts and handloom sectors, vital pillars of this heritage, hold immense potential for economic growth and social upliftment, particularly in rural areas.”

He said that these crafts not only preserve the region’s cultural identity but also provide livelihood for countless artisans.

CM Omar expressed hope that as WCC would achieve more milestones to celebrate in years to come, the crafts sector would also emerge stronger in J&K.

He expressed hope that the skills and craft knowledge would be transferred to the younger generations.

The CM also hosted a dinner for World Craft Council delegates.

The event, attended by distinguished national and international delegates, was part of the celebrations to welcome the WCC.

During the presentations to the participants, several initiatives undertaken by the J&K government were highlighted including the Wool Processing, Handloom, and Handicrafts Policy-2020, financial assistance programmes, skill development schemes like the Karkhandar initiative, and the promotion of Geographical Indication (GI) certification to protect Kashmiri crafts.

It was conveyed that there has been a remarkable increase in exports which have risen from Rs 563 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 1162 crore in 2023-24.

The WCC celebrations have been scheduled in two phases from November 21 to 24, which was held in New Delhi and from November 25 to 27 at Srinagar to highlight the significant role of J&K in global crafts.

This initiative aims to position Kashmir as a global centre for artisanal excellence to preserve traditional skills and create sustainable revenue streams for artisans.

With Srinagar’s recognition as the 63rd World Craft City, the region’s standing as a hub of cultural and artisanal excellence has been further elevated.

During the event, a presentation on the crafts of J&K and the way forward, a short film celebrating the global legacy of crafts and Srinagar being designated as a World Craft City was shown to the audience.

Besides the CM and delegates from the WCC, the dinner was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Union Additional Secretary in Ministry of Textiles Rohit Kansal, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjeet Singh, and Director Handicrafts Kashmir Mehmood Ahmad Shah.

From World Craft Council the notable dignitaries present were the President of the WCC Saad Al Qaddumi, Vice President WCC Kevin Murray, Aziz Mutazaev (Uzbekistan), Nadia Meer (South Africa), Aftab Gharda (UK), and delegates from member countries of the WCC, including representatives from Australia, Kuwait, France, the UK, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Ireland, Malaysia, and Turkey, attended the event.

Other key officials from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and J&K government and representatives of the craft industry from J&K.

The celebrations hold immense significance for J&K, offering global recognition of its artisanal heritage and creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for artisans.

By integrating crafts into tourism and connecting local artisans to global markets, the event is expected to have a lasting impact on the region’s cultural and economic landscape.

A notable feature of the second leg of the event in Srinagar would be the participation of artisans from Iran and Central Asia, whose visit would help be significant for historical and cultural ties between Central Asian and Kashmiri crafts.

The interaction with WCC is expected to foster cross-cultural learning, celebrate shared heritage, and open up avenues for reviving lost techniques.

This event is seen as a milestone in J&K’s journey to reclaim its position in the world of crafts.

With its artisans at the heart of this revival, collaboration with the WCC is expected to help J&K revive and sustain its rich cultural heritage for generations to come.

The event now moves to J&K with the delegates from WCC set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of WCC in Srinagar, starting with their arrival and craft tour on November 25 and a two-day event at the SKICC on November 26 and 27.