Srinagar, July 22: Prominent industry leaders on Monday called for urgent government intervention to curb the growing infiltration of counterfeit and machine-made carpets being misrepresented as genuine Kashmiri handwoven products.The call was made during a press conference in Srinagar, where leading associations and craft stakeholders raised concern over the threat to the Valley’s iconic carpet sector. Sheikh Ashiq, a member of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, led the appeal. Flanked by representatives from the Kashmir Carpet Cluster, Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association, Meeras, and other trade bodies, Ashiq warned that unchecked trade in fake carpets is not only damaging artisan livelihoods but also undermining Kashmir’s cultural identity and global market standing.“A single handmade carpet represents a year’s worth of dedication by a skilled artisan, while a machine-made version can be churned out in a day,” Ashiq said. “Blending these with authentic products or mislabelling them in showrooms is a direct attack on our heritage and an economic blow to thousands of craftsmen.”He pointed to imports from countries like Iran and Turkey that are increasingly being passed off as Kashmiri. Ashiq called for immediate withdrawal of machine-made carpets from handicraft outlets, stricter product separation, and tough penalties against erring traders. “We need proactive enforcement, not post-fraud intervention,” he said, advocating for stronger labelling norms and speedy implementation of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag enforcement system.Among those supporting Ashiq’s appeal were Bhilal Kawoosa, Firdous Bhat, and Farouq Shah who represented the Kashmir Carpet Cluster and Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association. They expressed unity in demanding decisive government action to protect artisan employment and ensure only authentic handmade carpets carry the Kashmir brand. Ghulam Nabi Dar, president of Meeras and a reputed manufacturer, said that senior artisans are fast losing motivation due to lack of official support. “We have artisans who spent decades mastering their craft. If fake products continue to flood markets without checks, we will lose both skill and reputation,” Dar said. He stressed the need to segregate handmade and machine-made carpets in all retail and export markets. The stakeholders collectively urged the J&K government to launch a special enforcement drive to check deceptive trade practices and ensure compliance with GI tagging protocols.Ashiq concluded by saying that protecting Kashmir’s carpets goes beyond job security. “This is about safeguarding our identity. Government action cannot wait. The industry is ready to fully cooperate to preserve the future of this craft.”
Health tips: How to manage diabetes
- Monitor blood sugar levels regularly to understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose — American Diabetes Association (ADA).
- Choose high-fibre, low-GI foods like whole grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables — Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly to improve insulin sensitivity — Canters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Maintain a healthy weight to better control blood sugar and reduce complications — World Health Organization (WHO).
- Limit added sugars and refined carbs to avoid glucose spikes
(Source: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
