Govt committed to empower talented weavers, craftsmen: LG

Budgam, Nov 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that the government was committed to empowering Kashmir’s talented weavers and craftsmen.

Addressing the convocation ceremony at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar, the LG said, “J&K is a repository of Indian creative traditions and it manifests in various handicraft and handloom products. We are committed to providing necessary opportunities and facilities to empower and unlock the potential of our talented weavers and craftsmen.”

Calling for addressing the emerging challenges of the domestic apparel and textile industry, he urged young and creative minds to address the emerging challenges of the domestic apparel and textile industry.

LG Sinha also called for making India the fashion capital of the world saying, “Youth are the inheritors of our great civilisation. I firmly believe in India’s unique cultural and historical identity. I also believe in the dedication of our youth to weave magic into creative products. This will bring far-reaching changes in the fashion industry.”

He shared the key initiatives taken under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen the entire value chain from fibre, yarn, and fabric to apparel and also revive unique cultural and artistic heritage.

The LG also commended the efforts of NIFT to provide a complete, meaningful, relevant education in the area of design development, fashion management, and fashion communication to strengthen the brand positioning of apparel and crafts and to support J&K’s artisans and enrich the local crafts through Craft Cluster Projects.

He advised the students to implement the inclusive approach in spreading the benefits of expertise and exposure earned at NIFT to the handicrafts and handloom industry and to do justice to the creativity of craftspeople for their empowerment.

“NIFT has emerged as a premier fashion institution of the country and produces professional human resources for the textile and apparel industry. Your collective aim should be to build global brands. Your creativity, innovation, value edition and your dedication to cultivating the personality of your products will help in making the fashion design, technology and lifestyle accessory industry competitive in the international market,” LG Sinha said.

He paid tribute to well-known fashion designer Rohit Bal, who was born in Srinagar and went on to revolutionise the Indian fashion industry.

The LG said his innovative and dynamic approach would inspire NIFT’s students to become catalysts for stronger and sustainable growth in this sector.

He congratulated the NIFT management, faculty members, staff, and graduate students and extended his best wishes.

Commissioner, Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Vikramjit Singh; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; Deputy Inspector General of Police Central Kashmir Range, Srinagar, Rajiv Omprakashn; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Akshay Labroo; Director, NIFT Srinagar, Prof Monika Gupta and Dean Academics, NIFT, Prof Sudha Dhingra were also present on the occasion.