Kulgam, Aug 08: A crewel training centre in south Kashmir’s Kulgam is empowering local women by providing advanced craft training and promoting self-reliance.
The centre, recognised for its exceptional craftsmanship, receives numerous orders from the district administration for handmade banners, which are now featured at various events, including Swachhata Pakhwada.
The initiative aims to replace PVC banners with eco-friendly cloth alternatives, significantly benefiting the trainees both economically and skill-wise.
An official said that handmade banners from the ‘Advanced Crewel Training Centre’ in Mirhama are now featured at Swachhata Pakhwada events.
Officials said the initiative aims to replace PVC banners with eco-friendly cloth alternatives.
Dilshada Akhtar, a trainee, said the centre has been a major boon for them as they receive craft training at their doorstep, enabling them to get the crafts training locally.
“The centre not only provides training but also a monthly stipend, which helps them manage some household expenses,” she said.
Akhtar said they are just a month away from completing the programme and will acquire advanced skills in crewel crafts. “We have already made banners for district administration events, special polling stations during the Lok Sabha elections, and now for the Swachh Pakhwada,” she added.
Hemayun Javid, Assistant Director (AD) Handicrafts and Handloom, Kulgam, said the department is offering women the opportunity to register for free crafts training at the centres.
Currently, there are 155 societies registered in the district in different crafts, and artisans are benefiting from the Handicrafts schemes without hassle, he said, adding that the Handicrafts and Handloom office in Kulgam is actively promoting and developing these training centres to help women become self-reliant.
An official from the H&H Department in Kulgam said they have been receiving departmental orders for crewel banners, certificates, and gifts for departmental functions in Kulgam.
He said the centre has been receiving orders for crewel banners for events since the Veshow Literary Festival, which was held last year in 2023. “We have around 20 women trainees in the centre. This is the ‘Advanced Crewel Training Centre, Mirhama’ where women are trained to be self-reliant and become independent with the acquisition of the skill,” he said.
After completing the elementary training, the women move on to the advanced centre where they are trained to become master trainers. The advanced training is a two-year programme.
“During this programme, which is open to women above 18 years old, trainees receive training and a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 in advance,” the official said.
After completing the programme, groups of 10-11 women are formed and registered as a ‘cooperative society’. As a registered society, they receive one lakh in financial assistance in two installments to help them establish their livelihoods.
“The women trained at this centre can also apply for awards,” the official said, adding, “The master trainers who have academic qualifications as well can apply for ‘Craft Teacher’ vacancies in the Handicrafts Department, and those who apply for loans will receive special subsidies.”
