SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: As per data available, there are about 8 lakh artisans in Jammu and Kashmir, indulged in more than seven types of handicraft works, which included Pashmina, Carpets, Papier-Mache, Wood Carving, Crewel, and Copper Antique. Despite several steps taken by administration to strengthen handicrafts and other allied sectors in Kashmir, the situation of the same has not improved much as condition of Pashmina, Carpet-making, Paper-Mache and other related works is deteriorating day by day.
Kashmiri artisans, who kept the handicrafts trade alive despite facing numerous challenges, are facing the most difficult times but the Government has not came forward to mitigate their sufferings during last several decades due to unrest and thereafter pandemic, which affected the already suffering class to great extent. Those who are associated with these sectors are claiming that administration has also started GI tag system to ensure good quality of each handicrafts besides promoting them to international markets, but it is really unfortunate to say that there are a number of vested-interests who are cheating people in name of Kashmiri brands, due to which Kashmiri craft is facing huge losses and causing financial burden on ground level workers, majority of whom are daily-earners and completely dependent on the sector.
Kashmiri Pashmina shawl artisans are facing worst-ever times as they are struggling a lot to make their both ends meet. Local artisans said that Kashmir-made Pashmina shawl possess unique identity across the world however due to intervention of few vested interests, it is losing its identity. “Few locals are duping outsiders in name of Pashmina and selling them fake material for petty gains,” they alleged, adding, “Pashmina is made by hand, however some people dupe customers by selling them machine-made shawls as an outsider customer hardly knows difference between real and fake.”
According to Pashmina artisans, the malpractice has devastated the livelihood of thousands who were earning handsome livelihood in past. They appealed to LG to direct the concerned authorities for taking some action against all such elements who deceive customers in name of handmade-Pashmina, as with this trend in place, the future of trade is unsecure.