Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 24: The Chief Minister is scheduled to inaugurate Dast-e-Hunar (The National Handloom Expo) on September 25. The `grand exhibition' shall be hosted by the Kashmir Haat at Srinagar. The main objective of the exhibition is to honour and encourage the craftsmen. A noble idea indeed. The craftsmen have been ignored right from the beginning. The masterpieces produced by them have made the dealers wealthy as they make two ends meet with difficulty.
In 1997, noted human rights activist, Maneka Gandhi visited Kashmir and expressed serious concern over killing of the Tibetan antelope whose fur was used to produce delicate Shahtoosh shawls. These shawls could even pass through a ring.
According to rough estimates, around 500,000 persons earned their livelihood by making, selling and getting raw material for the shawls. Without thinking about the consequences, the then Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah imposed a ban on manufacture, sale and purchase of Shahtoosh shawls thus rendering 500,000 people jobless.
This is how the National Conference governments have honoured and encouraged the craftsmen. For his, information, it has not yet become clear whether the wool from the antelope was obtained after killing the animal.
Experts say, even if this is correct, the government should have encouraged rearing of the animal in Kashmir Valley at places which have a similar environments that of the place where the antelope is found.
The craftsmen cannot be encouraged and honoured by publishing advertisements in newspapers. Some tangible measures have to be taken. Will Omar government consider rearing the antelope in Kashmir? |
