Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar launched a pilot initiative on November 27, 2021, in Jammu and Kashmir. This project aims to restore and promote ancient ‘Namda’ craft, saying that efforts are on to expand carpet exports from 600 crore to 6,000 crore.
Why in News?
An official spokesman for the Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology has announced the launch of two unique and ambitious projects. Under this one is “Revival of Namda craft of Kashmir as a special pilot project under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ (PMKVY) 3.0″ . The second project is “Upskilling of artisans and weavers of Kashmir under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), component of PMKVY.”
Objectives of ‘Namda’ Project
The focus area of these programmes, is to strengthen and maintain the Kashmir’s native and ancient Namda craft. Their key focus is also to upgrade the skills of local weavers and craftsmen in the UT so that they may increase their output via RPL evaluation and certification.
Namda Beneficiaries
It is said that the Namda project would help and benefit 2,250 individuals from 30 Namda Clusters across six Kashmir districts. This 6 kashmir districts include Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam, and Anantnag. While the particular RPL programme aims to upskill and enhancement of approximately 10,900 craftsmen and weavers.
What is Namda ?
Namda is a rug produced of sheep wool using a felting technique rather than the traditional weaving method. Between 1998 and 2008, the export of this craft fell by about 100 percent due to a shortage of raw materials, competent labour, and marketing tactics.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has devised a short-term training programme to conserve this endangered art through this unique initiative under PMKVY.
Short-term training
The Namda project is an unique initiative which will be an industry-based training programme with Namda Crafts Production beneficiaries. This will help to preserve and revive the rich legacy linked with the distinctive art in Kashmir.
This would also increase access for current Namda crafts cluster artists in Kashmir, as well as their employment opportunities, according to the spokesperson.
Mr. Chandrasekhar, who launched the programme, said India has a rich legacy and is home to various ancient art forms.
Need of Pilot Project
After visiting Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir last month, Chandrasekhar expressed the need to take an initiative to preserve and revitalize the area’s dying traditional handicrafts .As the handicraft sector is the main source of employment there to meet the demand for traditional handicrafts in Nagaland, Jammu and to cover cashmere, clusters of traditional skills needed skilled artisans from the villages. This initiative aims to link industry and the market and promotes micro-entrepreneurship.
As a pilot project has been launched in J&K, a similar pilot project will be soon launched in Nagaland. The expected launch of the project is most probably in the month of December or January in Nagaland to qualify and train over 4,000 craftsmen and weavers. This will also focus to generate local employment opportunities and to strengthen the craft clusters.
