New Delhi, July 14: The dying art of Namda craft in Kashmir is undergoing a successful revival under a Skill India pilot project, a part of the PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY). Nearly 2,200 candidates from six districts of the state have received training in this traditional art form.
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as well as Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, flagged off the first batch of Namda Art products for export to the United Kingdom (UK).
This milestone showcases the fruitful collaboration between the government and local industry partners, setting a great example of the public-private partnership (PPP) model in skill development.
The initiative has successfully trained individuals across six districts of Kashmir, namely Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam, and Anantnag. This significant achievement not only preserves the Namda craft but also empowers local weavers and artisans.
The visionary leadership of Prime Minister NarendraModi has played a crucial role in the government’s commitment to skill development, reskilling, and upskilling India’s youth. The successful implementation of this pilot project in Jammu and Kashmir, with the support of local industry partners like Mir Handicrafts and Srinagar Carpet Training and Market Centre, highlights the power of public-private partnerships in driving skill development and attracting investments for economic growth.
Congratulating on this achievement, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and IT, stated, “The outcome of the Namda project perfectly aligns with our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Naya Bharat, NayeAvsar, NayiSamridhi, which emphasizes that skilling is about creating new opportunities and prosperities. I wish you all tremendous success and prosperity in this art, and it is a proud moment for us to achieve this milestone.”
The Namda Project is a testament to PM NarendraModi’s vision for Skill India, which focuses on empowering people and creating opportunities. During his visit to Jammu & Kashmir in 2021, Rajeev Chandrasekhar recognized the need for a project to preserve and revive dying traditional crafts in the region. The handicrafts sector is a major contributor to the economy and employment generation.
Namda craft involves the creation of rugs using sheep wool through the felting technique instead of the traditional weaving process. Due to a scarcity of raw materials, lack of skilled manpower, and marketing techniques, the export of this craft declined by almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008. To address this, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) designed a short-term training curriculum under PMKVY to preserve this endangered craft. The project has been implemented in 25 batches across three training cycles, with each training program lasting approximately three and a half months. The entire project was completed in approximately 14-16 months.
The Namda project is an industry-based training program, where beneficiaries are involved in Namda Crafts Production, contributing to the preservation and revival of the rich heritage associated with Namda craft in Kashmir. This initiative will also enhance the opportunities for existing artisans in the Namda craft cluster in Kashmir, improving their employability prospects.
