NIFT kick starts 5-day workshop for women artisans of JK, Ladakh

Srinagar, May 23: The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar kick-started a five-day capacity building workshop for around 40 women artisans from Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir division.
The workshop is being conducted in collaboration with National Commission for women, New Delhi, a statement issued said, adding that the workshop was inaugurated by Union MoS, Ministry of Textiles Darshana V Jardosh through video conferencing.
The inaugural session was joined in person by Chairperson National Commission of Women, New Delhi.
Rekha Sharma, Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Kashmir Tariq Ahmad Zargar and Director NIFT Srinagar Dr.Javid Ahmad Wani.
While speaking on the occasion, the minister congratulated all the 40 women artisans for being a part of this workshop.
“Jammu and Kashmir has rich history of handicrafts being practiced across all the three region and I am hopeful that this capacity building workshop of five-days will equip these women artisans to gain insights on design, marketing, quality control and technology which in turn will help them to establish independent craft enterprises,” Jardosh said.
Chairperson, NCW Rekha Sharma appreciated the efforts of NIFT Srinagar for customizing this capacity building workshop for women artisans. “This workshop is aimed to enhance the operational efficiency and competitiveness of these 40 women artisans and will help them to understand design elements, market trends, branding and use of social media for marketing,” she said.
Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Kashmir Tariq stressed on the need for conducting such kind of capacity building workshops at regular intervals to update artisans and weavers with changing market dynamics.
He suggested a convergent approach between NIFT, CDI, IICT and School of Design for promotion and development of arts and crafts.
Director NIFT Javid Ahmad Wani earlier in his welcome address appreciated the role of NCW in women empowerment. He thanked Chairperson, NCW for her keen interest and support in conducting the program.
Dr. Javid deliberated on the issues faced by artisans and interventions required for the development of the handicraft sector.
“Role of institutions like NIFT Srinagar for capacity building of stakeholders in handicraft and handloom sector especially the artisan community is pivotal,” Wani said.
The event ended with vote of thanks to dignitaries and participants by joint director, NIFT Srinagar Sandeep Sachan.