Pashmina artisans true custodians of J&K’s cultural heritage: Lt Governor

Srinagar, Sep 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday described Pashmina artisans as the “true custodians” of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage, calling for fair remuneration, social security, global market access and greater institutional support to preserve the centuries-old craft.
Addressing the Pashmina Artisan Awards 2026, organised by the Pashmeena Entrepreneurs Makers and Artisans (PEMA) Foundation at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, said the awards celebrated not merely individual artisans but an entire artistic civilisation that has enriched the world through its craftsmanship and brought recognition to J&K and India.
Sinha said India has always regarded artisanship as sacred knowledge, invoking the spirit of Bhagwan Vishwakarma, the divine embodiment of craftsmanship.
“India has always considered handicrafts to be a form of divine knowledge and society bows before every artisan who begins the process of creation from nothing,” he said.
Highlighting the patience, skill and dedication behind Kashmir’s Pashmina tradition, the Lieutenant Governor said artisans had historically worked with fine threads and intricate weaves without modern factories or automated machinery.
He particularly highlighted the contribution of women artisans, saying they have played a central role at every stage of Pashmina production, from refining raw fibre to intricate embroidery.
“Women artisans are not merely participants in this tradition but they are its silent creators, its custodians and its heartbeat,” Sinha said.
He said generations of mothers, sisters and daughters had learned intricate techniques such as Kani and Sozni embroidery within their homes, enabling traditional knowledge and artistic skills to pass from one generation to another.
Sinha stressed that recognising and empowering women artisans was essential to safeguarding the region’s cultural legacy and strengthening the confidence of future generations.
Recalling the earlier editions of the awards held in 2023 and 2025, he described such initiatives as important avenues of hope and growth for artisans and entrepreneurs.
He said this year’s awards were particularly significant as they recognised the contribution of women artisans whose craftsmanship has given Kashmir’s Pashmina its distinctive identity and global reputation.
Congratulating the young artisans honoured at the event, Sinha described them as a bridge between the past and present, connecting centuries-old craftsmanship with modern designs and contemporary requirements.
Referring to challenges facing the handmade craft sector, he said competition from machine-made products, fair remuneration, access to digital markets, sustainable availability of raw materials and changing consumer preferences required concerted efforts.
The Lieutenant Governor assured artisans of the Government of India and J&K administration’s commitment to supporting the sector in four key areas: fair remuneration and protection of Geographical Indication (GI) tags; access to global markets through e-commerce, exhibitions and digital platforms; skill development and welfare, including healthcare, social security and modern design training; and financial inclusion through schemes such as MUDRA, the J&K Credit Card Scheme and Karkhandar training initiatives.
He said the economic value of a Pashmina product should appropriately reflect the months or years of labour, skill and dedication invested by artisans in creating it.
Referring to the GI tag and authentication mechanism, Sinha said these measures provide an important protective mechanism for genuine Pashmina products. He noted that 18 crafts have been granted GI tags and that a QR-based system has been developed to help establish their authenticity.
Sinha said the major challenge before the sector was to ensure greater access to global markets.
“The world wants to see your art,” he said, stressing that e-commerce, digital platforms, international exhibitions and new markets could help take the stories and products of women and young artisans to the global luxury market.
He also stressed the importance of social security, healthcare facilities, welfare schemes and modern design training for artisan families.
The Lieutenant Governor called for continued cooperation between the PEMA Foundation, Industries and Commerce Department, and Handloom and Handicrafts Department to strengthen the sector and improve the lives of artisans.
Addressing the artisans, Sinha urged them never to consider their work ordinary, saying their craftsmanship represents devotion, creativity and a contribution towards keeping India’s cultural memory alive.
“Whenever a person anywhere in the world carries an original Pashmina product from Jammu Kashmir on their shoulders, they carry with them a part of India’s culture and history,” he said.
He urged artisans to embrace modern opportunities while preserving traditional excellence and called for continued efforts to connect the younger generation with Pashmina and other traditional crafts.
Sinha congratulated all the award winners and appreciated their contribution towards preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s rich handicraft heritage. (KNO)