Srinagar a living museum of craft and heritage: DC Srinagar at Handicrafts Dept, NIFT Srinagar workshop

SRINAGAR: In a major push to enhance the competitiveness and market readiness of Kashmir’s artisans, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, in collaboration with NIFT Srinagar, organized a one-day capacity building workshop focused on packaging and branding under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme — a flagship initiative of the Ministry of MSME, supported by the World Bank.

Held in Srinagar, the workshop witnessed the participation of over 100 artisans and craftspeople from Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal districts, who received hands-on training in modern branding techniques, design aesthetics, sustainable packaging, and market trend analysis — all aimed at equipping local producers for broader market integration.

The technical sessions were conducted by subject experts and faculty from NIFT Srinagar, who shared practical modules designed to align Kashmir’s traditional crafts with contemporary market expectations. The curriculum was tailored to products falling under the GI (Geographical Indication), ODOP (One District One Product), and DEH (Districts as Export Hubs) frameworks.

The event was graced by Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (I.A.S), Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, who attended as the Chief Guest. Senior officials from the District Administration, Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, and the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) also participated in the proceedings.

Srinagar – A Living Museum of Craft

In his address, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat described Srinagar as a living museum of craft and heritage, highlighting the city’s historical and cultural importance. He emphasized the need to promote and protect traditional crafts through modern tools of branding and packaging and praised the Department for actively organizing grassroots-level capacity building.

“Our artisans are the torchbearers of a centuries-old legacy. Through initiatives like RAMP, we can ensure they receive the training, support, and visibility they need to thrive in today’s marketplace,” Dr. Bhat stated.

He also encouraged an interactive dialogue with artisans, gathering feedback to inform future development programmes and improve policy implementation on the ground.

Building Institutional Capacity and Livelihoods

The workshop is part of a broader strategy to build institutional capacity, empower local artisans, and create sustainable livelihoods. It also aimed to increase awareness about government support schemes and foster collaboration between artisans, institutions, and policymakers under the MSME development framework.

Following the success of this session, the Department announced that it will organize another Capacity Building Workshop on May 28, 2025, with several more planned across the Union Territory, focusing on artisans associated with GI/ODOP/DEH-linked products.