Srinagar: Kashmir is soaring high after the famed Pashmina shawls were gifted to thousands of VIP guests during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Pashmina shawl from #Kashmir with FIFA logo given out to thousands of VIP guests at the Al Bayt stadium Doha. #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/sLLWQPRsge
— Dr Tariq Tramboo (@tariqtramboo) December 21, 2022
Hosts had included Kashmir Pashmina shawls as part of the souvenirs basket that they presented to very important persons across stadia during the world’s biggest sports event.
At Al Bayt Stadium, there were 68000 gift bags for the visitors at the opening ceremony of FIFA, each one with a Pashmina shawl with embroidered logo at the Al Bayt stadium, Doha. The hosts gifted handmade Pashmina shawls to the VVIPs across the stadia in all the major matches.
On a positive note, There were 68000 gifts bags for the visitors at the opening ceremony of FIFA, each one with a Pashmina shawl from Kashmir with embroidered logo at the Al Bayt stadium, Doha. Made in India at FIFA. #FIFAWorldCup #ThankYouQatar pic.twitter.com/XjQVGeM2U2
— Seetu Mahajan Kohli (@kohliseetu) December 20, 2022
“It is a very good development,” Mehmood Ahmad, Kashmir’s Director of the handicrafts and handlooms department, said. “I talked to the supplying company but they are under contractual obligations with a third party and can not reveal details”.
Pashmina is a fine wool extracted from a goat found in the cold desert of Ladakh. The wool is used by the artisans and craftsmen of Kashmir for making exquisite handmade shawls that have a huge demand world over.
A plain 100 percent handmade pashmina shawl sells for Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 at the manufacturing level. Design and embroidery work on the shawl determine its ultimate market value. Intricate embroidery and its design can push the cost of pashmina fabric including shawls to Rs five lakh or more.
Pashmina is among six traditional crafts of Kashmiri origin including Sozni-embroidery, Kani-shawl, Papier-Mâché, Khatamband, and Walnut Woodcarving that have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) symbolizing their exclusivity in the international market.
The export sector suffered a serious setback in the last few years. Last year, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries said handicraft products worth Rs 600 crore were lying unsold in the valley.
However, Gulf Investment Summit has rekindled new hope among Kashmir Inc.
