Tribal girls in Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, who were forced by circumstances to leave studies can now do skill development training. They too can get empowered to build their future. Sarpanch Faruk Aziz Qureshi says we contacted the Handloom department as many girls belonging to the Scheduled Tribes community, unfortunately because of their disadvantaged socio-economic background, do not get a chance to study. So the department provided a centre where these girls who cannot pursue studies can do skill training to build their future. For the past one-and-a-half years, girls are coming here for learning the art of hand spinning Pashmina on charkha. Tuybia Rehman, a student says for those who come from economically weaker background, this is a good opportunity. We can learn here the skill to hand spin Pashmina which can assist in our future. Another student Gulzar comes every day to the centre to learn the craft of hand spinning tender Pashmina threads. She got interested after seeing the other girls at the centre.
The rare Pashmina wool comes from a breed of goats found in the plateau of Changthan in Ladakh, Kashmir at an altitude of above 14,000 feet. The wool collected from the goats is first combed. It is then soaked in a mixture of rice and water to soften it. After this procedure, follows the process of hand spinning the yarn on charkha to make fine threads. Pashmina is then woven on handlooms.
Asit Muni, also a learner says after leaving school, this is a good option. By learning this skill we can teach others and open our own centre too. The centre owner says it is an encouraging scheme from the Handloom department and the government to uplift the tribal girls. This skill development training will lead to “Har Ghar Rozgaar”. Also, by helping a girl to realise her potential, two households are likely to get benefitted.