Srinagar, Apr 09: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that his administration is working on ensuring GI tagging of several handmade products like wood carving, carpet and other things.
“The Union Territory government is working for GI tagging of several handicrafts like wood carving, carpet and several others. The GI tagging would help the people affiliated with the job to get a good amount in international markets,” he said while addressing a gathering at SKICC, through video conferencing.
He added that there is no dearth of talent in Kashmir, saying that the people here are gifted with different talents.
“I am observing that NIFT Srinagar is playing a huge role. I believe that new courses will be started soon and will furnish the talent of the youth,” he said. Sinha also said that the Union Textile Minister has been doing her best and taken the textiles to new heights.
Notably, Institute of Fashion Technology Srinagar (Rangreth) organised its first convocation class of 2020 at SKICC Srinagar where Smriti Zubin Irani MOS GOI was the Chief Guest and Kiran Rijjiju Minister of State Youth Affairs & Sports and Minority Affairs was the Guest of Honour.
Other participants include Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Prof. Dr Banhi Jha (NIFT Delhi), Dr.Javid Ahamad Wani (Director Nift Srinagar), Ranjan Prakash Thakur Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce department J&K, Prof.Dr Vandana Narang (Dean Academics Nift), Junaid Azim Matoo Mayor and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar.
With the revival of art and craft centres, the J&K UT is emerging as a global fashion hub, he said.
“J&K contributes to 80% of the country’s total exports of woolen shawls. Special attention has been paid to the handicraft and handloom sector in the new Industrial Development Scheme approved by the central government recently. Handholding to local weavers and artisans is being provided for their livelihood generation as well as promotion of old crafts,” LG said.
Observing that J&K is witnessing the revival of its traditional handicrafts, the Lt Governor said that the artisans are again giving expression to their creativity through their talented eyes and hardworking hands. He called upon the students and faculty of NIFT to connect themselves with maximum craftsmen and artisans, be their voice and enrich their art with the research and expertise of the institute.
Underscoring the UT Government’s measures to promote the local products, the Lt Governor observed that UT Government is working on GI tagging of Kashmiri carpet, wood carving, Namda craft, Phool Kari, Basohli painting, Tweed fabric, Chikri craft, etc so that these products can be made available in the International Markets.
Speaking on the latest e-commerce initiatives, the Lt Governor said that the Handloom and Handicraft products of J&K have been provided global platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. With sustained efforts, the Handloom and Handicraft Industry of J&K would again reach its pinnacle.
E-commerce marketplaces will provide an appropriate opportunity for the momentous growth and development of the respective sectors. In the coming year, transportation issues would also be addressed as the railway network will connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari, he added.
Addressing the young designers of NIFT, Srinagar, the Lt Governor said that the Designing and Fashion communication course of NIFT has huge potential in creating and developing new designs. It also has the power to revive the old crafts of the handloom sector, and can bring about a revolution in the handloom industry of the region.
He mentioned that for the first time in history NIFT Delhi has been included among the 10 reputed Fashion Institutes of the world.
The Lt Governor highlighted the significant role of NIFT, Srinagar in creation of Human Capital for the Fashion and Design Industry, besides incorporating the local crafts into the dynamics of the fashion market.
The profession of fashion designing is a profession of expression. A fashion designer expresses his creativity through designing a piece of cloth and turning it into a masterpiece, he added.
Calling J&K a repository of talents, the Lt Governor said that the students who have graduated today are fortunate that they got to learn about the wonderful traditional techniques of weaving along with local art and craft.
Expressing satisfaction over the development of 100 new products, designed and developed as per the market needs by the students of the NIFT, the Lt Governor asserted that this would lead to revival of old crafts and take the products of local artisans to the global markets. He also noted that NIFT is playing a vital role in setting up Design Resource Centres in the Weaver’s Service Centres.
The Lt Governor congratulated all the students who received their graduating degrees from National Institute of Fashion Technology and wished for their happy and successful future.
Congratulating the graduates and their parents, Kiren Rijiju, Union MoS urged the students to make best use of the opportunities available to them as the apparel and fashion industry has a lot of potential. He said that the youth of India has an important role to play in defining and portraying soft image and soft power of the country and that the alumni of NIFT Srinagar will play a pioneering role in this direction.
