The clusters will offer skill-based training to artisans.
Two heritage clusters, one each in Srinagar and Jammu, were approved on Monday to safeguard the world-famous but fast dying art and handicrafts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Started under the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries, the clusters will offer skill-based training to artisans. “The artisans will be acquainted with new designs which can be blended with traditional designs depicting local flavours,” said Vinai Kumar, Chairman, Khadi & Village Industries Commission (K&VIC), J&K.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who chaired a meeting in Jammu, sought the Centre’s support in “fostering entrepreneurial cooperation by promotion of cluster initiative.”
Calling for a special focus on women-centric traditional craft, like shawl embroidery, chain stitch, sozni and crewel work, Mr. Sayeed said: “A comprehensive cluster approach will help overcome the challenge posed by competitive imported products available in the market.”
He called for soft interventions through cluster methodology to ensure artisans had access to raw material and that they are able to overcome the hurdles in marketing the handicraft products.
“An institutional mechanism has to be worked out so that our artisans benefit from K&VIC’s prepare & procure policy, particularly in papier mache, wood work, Basohli paintings and Kishtwari blanket-making,” he said.
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