Srinagar, September 11, 2025 – Union Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Kashmir’s centuries-old tradition of hand-knotted carpet weaving during a significant event at the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) campus in Srinagar. The occasion marked the distribution of Modified Modern Steel Carpet Looms to artisans under the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP), aimed at enhancing efficiency, precision, and the global competitiveness of Kashmiri carpets. The initiative reflects a broader vision to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to sustain and elevate Kashmir’s handicraft legacy.
The event, attended by Commissioner Secretary of Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, Joint Secretary of Textiles Padmini Singla, Director of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir Mussrat Islam, and other senior officials, highlighted the government’s focus on empowering artisans. Rao distributed modern looms to artisan clusters from Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, and Srinagar districts, with a proposal for 500 additional looms under consideration to further expand the initiative. These looms are designed to reduce physical strain, improve weaving efficiency, and enhance design precision, ensuring Kashmiri carpets remain competitive in global markets.In her address, Rao emphasized the importance of reviving traditional Kashmiri designs while integrating contemporary patterns to appeal to international buyers. “I have come from Delhi with senior officers to gain firsthand insight into introducing new benchmarks that strengthen backward and forward linkages in the craft sector,” she stated. She encouraged the Jammu & Kashmir government to submit proposals for upgrading testing and certification facilities, underscoring the need for authenticity in Kashmiri handicrafts. Rao’s visit included a tour of IICT’s design studio and NABL-accredited laboratory, where she expressed interest in scaling up facilities with funding from the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).
Rao also visited the Pashmina Testing & Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC), assuring support for state-of-the-art equipment to verify the authenticity of Kashmiri Pashmina and other crafts. She interacted with renowned artisans, including Padma Shri awardee Ghulam Hassan Khan (Patchwork Jamawar), National Award winner Ghulam Nabi Dar (Wood Carving), and Farooq Ahmad Mir (Kani Shawl), alongside emerging entrepreneurs like Shahnawaz Carpets and Beenish Crewel Toys. These interactions highlighted the blend of heritage craftsmanship and entrepreneurial innovation driving Kashmir’s craft economy.Additionally, Rao inaugurated the Animal Fibre Quality Assurance Laboratory at SKUAST-Kashmir’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in Shuhama, emphasizing the importance of certifying Pashmina as the “gold standard” of India’s natural fibers. She stressed that a robust certification ecosystem with traceable labeling will enhance market trust, projecting reliable data on genuine Pashmina products within two to three years.
This move aims to protect artisans from counterfeit products and strengthen Kashmir’s craft economy.The initiative is a step toward empowering Kashmiri weavers to meet global standards while preserving the cultural heritage of hand-knotted carpets, known for their intricate patterns and unmatched quality. By combining modern looms with enhanced testing and design facilities, the government seeks to boost artisans’ livelihoods and position Kashmiri carpets as a cornerstone of global handicraft markets.
