Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: “Dast-e-Hunner” National Handloom Expo organized by Handloom Development Department in collaboration with Development Commissioner Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India was inaugurated by the Financial Commissioner Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai at Dussehra Ground, here today.
The basic theme of the expo is “Promote Handlooms, Promote the Spirit of India”.
About 60 cooperative societies from within and outside the state are participating in the event. The main attraction will be world famous Kani Shawls, original pashmina shawls and stoles, raffle shawls, tweed cloth, bed sheets, home furnishing material and other exclusive handloom items available at inaugural discount of 10 percent during the event.
Lauding the efforts of Handloom Department for organizing such events, the Financial Commissioner said that the aim of holding such events is to provide a platform to the Handloom Weaving Cooperative Societies to showcase their products. He said that handloom industry is the oldest industry in the State and has received socio-economic significance. He said the industry has vast potential of employment generation
Ganai said all the three regions of the State have unique specialties in this sector, adding that J&K Handloom holds enormous potential to create self-employment opportunities and bring distinctive improvement in the socio economic status of the people of the State.
He said that centuries old tradition of weaving by hand is one of the richest and the most vibrant aspects of the cultural heritage of the State. He said the level of artistry and intricacy achieved in the handloom fabrics is unique and unparallel. He said Jammu and Kashmir is famous for the weaving of specialized fabrics like Pashmina shawls, Raffal shawls, Kani Shawls, Silk Sarees and Kishtwari blankets.
Director Handloom T Angchuk said that the handloom sector is known for its heritage and the tradition of excellent craftsman. He said it provides livelihood to millions of the weavers and craftsperson.
He said there are 777 handloom units in the State provide employment to 2076 persons. These units are producing Loies, Puttos, Tweed, blankets, Rafal, Pashmina and Dusoti Khad, he added. He said integrated Handloom Development Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented by the department to facilitate development of cohesive, self-managing and competitive handloom units.
Director Handloom Department, T Angchuk, Director Information and Public Relations Mukhtar-ul-Aziz, Director Industries and Commerce, Abdul Rashid, Director Handicrafts Tariq Ganai, besides other senior officers of Industries and Commerce department were present on the occasion.
Earlier, a scintillating cultural programme was presented by Cultural Wing of Department of Information and Public Relations. The two-hour long Cultural Programme was highly appreciated by the audience.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Deputy Director Handloom Development Department Jammu, Namrita Dogra.
Follow our WhatsApp channel