Srinagar: Transforming Lives through up skilling and Capacity Building of Women Artisans of Chain stitch and Crewel Embroidery the PHDCCI-Kashmir in association with Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir and with the support of Department of Commerce-Ministry of Commerce & Industry Government of India conducted the Capacity Building programme for the Artisans of Chain Stitch on Saturday at Conference Hall of Numaish (Kashmir Haat) Srinagar
To build more equitable ecosystem for women by creating economic opportunities, Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom has joined hands with PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry through an initiative of series of Capacity Building Programmes for Artisans of Traditional Art and Craft of Kashmir through Social innovation & Design intervention and Skill Development for Sustainable Livelihood through e-commerce and innovative packaging.
In one such programme today Mr Mehmood Ahamd Shah (JKAS) Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir held an interaction with women artisans of Chain Stitch embroidery. In his address he said that Women Artisans are one of the most resilient, they work very hard to sustain their livelihoods and at the same time, they guard their legacy. This is when the government, industry, entrepreneurs, designers and civil society should strongly support Artisans and revive it in any moment of crisis. With strong focus on Artisans, the Department of Handicraft and Handloom is working towards providing opportunities to the hitherto obscure in this eon of uncertainty. We have seen that women mostly do the applique Chain stitch work and engage themselves in this craft which is the source of their livelihood. Whatever applique work we see in Chain stitch or Crewel is done by women artisans, but we admit that the wages paid are very less,” said Mr Mehmood Shah. He further said that we understand that there is stiff competition from the machine made Chain Stitch and Crewel work which will soon be dealt with by the department through labelling and quality control. The women artisans were told to avail various benefits that are specifically meant for artisans and also get acquainted with the latest digital marketing tools through social media.
The programme was attended by more than 40- Artisans of Chain Stitch from various areas and craft clusters of Srinagar District. The Designer from School of Designs Mrs Shahena along with her team of Master Trainers in Chain Stitch & crewel acquainted the local Artisans with the latest trends to put their creativity to productive use as per the market demands and gave a detailed presentation on latest Designs in Chain Stitch Art.
Dr Furqan Ahamd, from Entrepreneurship Development Institute Kashmir explained to the artisans Concepts of packaging and its role in marketing, and he also in detail provided the insight of various schemes of government through Employment Exchange and Khadi Village Board and EDI. He further highlighted and explained and trained the artisans how they will get on board in various social media platforms and get connected directly to customers. The Importance of Social Media and packaging was explained to them in detail and it was impressed upon that the internet can be a low-cost way to reach a wide customer base around the world
The artisans of Chain Stitch were also made to visit the school of designs wherein they observed the New Design Pattern of Chain Stitch and also various designs that were prepared and designed by School of designs were shared with Artisans. It was told to the artisans to often visit the school of Designs for latest designs and quality improvement of your products.
While applauding the role of the Handicraft Department and PHDCCI for arranging such a wonderful awareness workshop the Artisans of Chain Stitch said that they have gained and enriched a lot through the two-day program and will adopt the techniques learnt in the packaging, designing and Marketing of their products

KR Desk