Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 25: A willow wicker skill upgradation centre in Ganderbal’s Kachan centre is empowering several women by imparting skills, enabling them to earn a livelihood through a craft that has seen male dominance over the years.
The centre operates under the Department of Handicrafts’ ‘Karkhanadar Scheme,’ which identifies specific crafts and provides training to participants, enabling them to establish their own units and pass on their skills to others.
Kulsoom Hameed, a trainee at the Kachan centre who holds a B.A and B.Ed, stated that she has enrolled in a 6-month course for willow wicker weaving, through which she is learning to create various articles.
“I have completed 3 months of my training and have acquired a significant portion of the skill. This will enable me to establish my own unit, providing livelihood opportunities to others,” she said.
Despite her high qualifications, she was previously unable to pursue her studies, but after discovering the skill centre, she decided to participate.
“Women should not confine themselves to home; they should strive to earn a livelihood. Women are as capable as anyone else. Once I complete my training, I aim to establish my unit and bring in more people,” she added.
Currently, the skill upgradation centre, launched in December, is training 10 local women under the Department of Handicrafts’ scheme.
Ghulam Muhammad Magray, who has over three decades of experience in the craft and received a state award in 2017 for making a willow wall clock, operates the centre.
“Our focus is on producing various types of willow baskets for daily use. The skills acquired by these women will ensure a sustainable livelihood for them. What’s unique is that this work is typically done by men, whereas here we see women actively participating in the skill centre,” he remarked.
Naseer Ahmad, Additional Director of the Department of Handicrafts in Ganderbal, elaborated on the ‘Karkhanadar Scheme,’ stating that its goal is to expand the reach of craft-making skills to more individuals.
“Upon completion of the course, we employ former trainees to train more people under the scheme. They receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 2000, while master trainers also receive Rs. 2000, along with Rs. 25000 for logistics to acquire raw materials and tools,” he explained, noting that master trainers must be state awardees.
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