WE THE PEOPLE
Kashmir has failed to develop Industrial Sector but its Handicrafts have rich Potential to fill the Space
Hence People urge Govt., to provide incentives and marketing facilities to Artisans as per SAFTA-VISION 2020
By: Mirror News Service
Srinagar: It is a well established fact that Kashmir region has not industrially flourished due to ground disturbances and as such unemployment problem kept on assuming higher proportions, but it is Kashmir Handicrafts which has survived and kept on feeding thousands and thousands of families all through turbulent period.
It is a fact that the Handicrafts are one of the most important essentials of Kashmir identity and since times immemorial the handicrafts have been contributing their share in boosting the image and economy of Kashmir Valley. Kashmir handicrafts have been attracting people across the globe and in recent past the European markets had a great demand for Kashmir handicrafts, especially for shawls. "Cashmere" - a brand name of shawl is still continuing to thrill the fashion markets of Europe.
But now al artisans connected with the trade have been demanding incentives and marketing facilities to sell their products without middlemen. They have also pressing on implementation of SAFTA-Vision-2020 document, so that handicrafts find a wider space for their sale. The implementation of the said Vision would include other members of the SAARC as they are committed to come together in terms of commerce and cultural relations. The countries of European Union have shared centuries of animosity towards each other, but nowadays they form common unit of economy and same would hold true for subcontinent.
The time is not far-off, when with opening of more routes, the tourists from other side would also come and thus the influx would show a geometrical progression in the handicrafts sector. With the opening of historical silk route, the Valley would get connected to Central Asian, Chinese and other countries of erstwhile republic of Soviet Union, which would give fillip to trade and cultural relations.
"Although Kashmir Valley is placed in an eco-friendly environment and has enough scope to boost agriculture and industry, but the main handicap has been non-utilization of hydro potential which is available in abundance. It is the power generation, which acts as an engine to drive industry and agriculture. These are the two sectors, which boost economy of any country in the world. Had our planners in the past focused attention on power sector, we would be in a position not only to electrify our rural and urban belts, but would be exporting power to other neighboring States of the country. It would have given a big boost to our economy. With the failure to tackle this area, we are importing power at a huge cost every year. Moreover the Central Power Agency has been tapping our water resources, but not sharing its benefits with the State at par. It is ironical that the giver has been pushed to the background. No doubt, demand for transfer of Central Hydroelectric Projects to the State is gaining momentum, but the Central Authorities are yet not in a mood to yield and part with the booty they have got in their pocket at present. Non-harnessing of water resources has also caused a severe setback to our agriculture, which is evident from importing rice worth crores of rupees annually through Food Corporation of India (FCI). Had our ayacuts been fully tapped and utilized, we would be a surplus State and exporting rice to other parts of the country today", said a group of knowledgeable persons of Kashmir Valley.
It is a fact that art only stands test of time and it is the skill of our artisans that needs to be harnessed to their optimum level. They need encouragement, incentives and marketing of their products.
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