Pandey directs for selecting five Best Crafts for award

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Industries & Commerce, Sudhanshu Pandey today said that the artisans, craftsmen and designers of J&K deserve not only appreciation and encouragement but also awards of excellence for their talent and contribution towards Art and Craft.
Mr. Pandey was interacting with officers of Handicrafts Department, Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO) and Quality Certification Centre, Nowshera, Srinagar during his detailed inspection of School of Designs, Directorate General Foreign Trade at Kashmir Haat Exhibition Grounds and J&K SIDCO, Rangreth here today.
Among others, Director Handicrafts, Muzaffar Ahmad, Managing Director J&K SIDCO, M. Muazzam, Assistant Director Foreign Trade, P. Sai Babu, General Manager, Project Promotion, Ilham Nadeem, General Manager, SIDCO, S.R. Qadri, Superintending Engineer SIDCO, Syed Aga Aijaz, Chief Designer, School of Designs, Aamina were present on the occasion.
Commenting on the prototypes showcased in School of Designs, Mr. Pandey said, “Many of these wonderful items have bright market prospects in and outside India. Let us work together to capture a part of it to provide decent livelihood to our craftsmen”. He asked Director Handicrafts and Chief Designer to brand the items showcased as souvenirs and institute awards for each of them so that the talent is explored and survival and sustenance of art is strengthened. He directed for selecting five Best Crafts each year for annual award ceremony.
While studying design of proposed auditorium at Kashmir Haat, Srinagar, Mr. Pandey assured that Government of India will support all genuine and reasonable initiatives of State Government.
Emphasising for solid market linkage, Joint Secretary hoped that the step will boost the morale of craftsmen to earn more and live a dignified life.
He also inspected units of wood carving, metal section, paper machie, turning section, tapestry, kani shawl unit, carpet unit, embroidery unit and various intrinsic works by unknown artisans showcased in the School of Designs.
Later, Mr. Pandey visited Quality Certification Centre, Nowshera, where Power Point presentation was made on Pashmina Textiles and implementation progress.
He also inspected various units in Industrial Complex Rangreth where Managing Director, SIDCO, M. Muazzam through Power Point presentation gave details of Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure & Allied Activities (ASIDE).
Mr. Pandey introduced revised Market Access Initiative Scheme (MAI) Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India on the occasion.
The participants on the occasion demanded adequate power supply, broadband connectivity, laying of optic fibre from Jammu to Srinagar and funding in IT Sector.

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