Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: “A Tribute to The Golden Hands”, maiden pictorial calendar of Handicrafts Department dedicated to the artisans of the State was released today by Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Shailendra Kumar .
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Secretary congratulated the department for the efforts behind preparing the first of its kind calendar which showcases the artisanship and efforts of the fraternity to keep alive the rich craft of the State.
Shailendra Kumar said that the handicrafts of the State have an immense potential and there is need to put sincere efforts in promoting the products. He directed the officers to work out the plan in which the products would be having GI certification and also to motivate artisans for the same.
He exhorted on establishing a central lab and to register the artisans/traders so that the labeling of the products could be taken up to build customer faith.
In order to increase the sale of handicraft products, Shailendra Kumar stressed for adopting e-trading which would help the artisans to reach out to a bigger market and promote their products. He asked the officials to put in sincere efforts in reviving the handicrafts industry of the state.
Director, Handicrafts, Gazanffar Ali said that the department by releasing this calender intends to pay a tribute to the artisan fraternity and highlight their role in the economy of the state.
Among others, Secretary in I&C, R K Bhagat, Special Secretary, Sajjad Ahmad Khan, Directors , Industries & Commerce, Jammu, Kashmir Dr. Abdul Rashid and Mohammad Javid Khan, Director, Handicrafts, Gazanffar Ali, Director, Handloom development department, Rajesh Sharma, Director, Geology & Mining, Farooq Ahmad Khan, Director, JKEDI, M I Parray, heads of all associated corporations/PSUs and concerned officers were present on the occasion.