Okey (Kulgam), Nov 18: The Joint Director Handicrafts Kashmir, Parvaiz Sajad Ganie visited Okey Kulgam, renowned for producing the bulk of Kangris (traditional firepots). Last Sunday, Rising Kashmir featured a story titled ‘Okey Kulgam: The Kangri Village Preserving Traditional Warmth of Kashmir’.
According to an official of the Handicrafts department, the Joint Director along with the Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kulgam and their team visited the village Okey village as part of the outreach to artisans and a grievance redressal mechanism.
“This village had recently gained media attention as the Kangri Production Hub of the district, aiming to assess the aspirations and demands of Kangri artisans,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Director said, “We appreciate the artisans’ passion for maintaining the quality but unfortunately the marketing is poor as someone buys it here and sells it at higher prices elsewhere.”
“We informed artisans about available marketing facilities, offering them stalls at ongoing exhibitions in Pahalgam, Boulevard Srinagar, and Kashmir Haat to check their marketing at these places,” he said.
Parvaiz said the artisans expressed their dire financial situation and inability to repay loans due to high interest rates. They fervently requested interest-free loans for Kangri artisans and interest waivers for those who have already availed of loan facilities, he said.
The Joint Director Handicrafts further said that there is a vital importance of skill enhancement and product variation. He advised and encouraged the artisans to pursue skill upgrading and product diversification, assuring them of expert training in willow wicker craft at their village.
