Srinagar: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has been officially recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council, an official spokesman said here.
The recognition would boost the handloom and handicraft sector, which will benefit tourism and infrastructure development, the spokesman said.
“This prestigious honour underscores the city’s rich heritage and the exceptional skills of its artisans whose dedication and artistry have earned global acclaim,” the spokesman said Sunday evening.
A letter from the World Craft Council reveals that capital city Srinagar has been recognised as a ‘World Craft City’.
“On the behalf of Mr. Saad al-Qaddumi, World Craft Council AISBL, president, The WCC AISBL Executive Board, The WCC Sub Committee, and the jury members, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the government, the citizens and the craftspeople of the Srinagar City (India) as a WCC-World Craft City,” the letter said.
“This Designation has been approved by the WCL AISBL, Executive Board and The WCC Sub-committee members based on the evaluation report submitted by the jurors,” it added.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah told KNO that the government received the certificate from WCC on Sunday.
He said the government had applied for the title back in 2021 following which the council inducted inspections within the city.
“In April this year, the team of the World Craft Council visited Srinagar. After inspection, they went back and submitted a report to the World Craft Council. Yesterday, we received a certificate of World Craft City,” Shah said.
“The good thing is that we got recognition both in textile and non-textile crafts,” he added.
The director of handicrafts and handloom said the title will promote the city as the world craft destination, thereby benefiting the entire industry.
“It will help us project Srinagar as an international craft destination. People from different parts of the world will come over here to see the craft,” he said.
Meanwhile the artisan community is jubilant, saying their hard work and efforts from the government “finally bore fruits”.
“This is really good news for the artisan community of Kashmir. After UNESCO’s creative city title, this is the second biggest achievement for our city. This is going to benefit the artisans community in the long run. It will lead to the boom in the craft and will promote our valley for its historic crafts,” Musadiq Shah, Senior Vice-president Kashmir Pashmina Organisation said.
He said the recognition will help the government as well the stakeholders in reviving various ancient and historic crafts of Kashmir.
