New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the revival of Kashmir’s traditional ‘Vagu’ mat during the 136th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, praising a Srinagar artisan and his daughter for reviving the centuries-old craft and promoting sustainable, eco-friendly products.
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister said the resurgence of the traditional handwoven mat demonstrated how talent coupled with determination could help preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.
“When one possesses both talent and the passion to achieve something, every path becomes easy. A glimpse of that is evident in the efforts currently being made regarding Kashmir’s traditional ‘Vagu’ mat,” Modi said.
He explained that the ‘Vagu’ mat is made from reeds and paddy straw and that the tradition of weaving it dates back several generations. The process begins with harvesting grass and reeds from the marshy regions of Kashmir, followed by drying and sorting the raw material before hand-weaving begins. According to the Prime Minister, it takes two artisans around four days to complete a single mat.
Describing the craft as both unique and eco-friendly, Modi said the mats naturally keep homes cool during summer and warm during winter.
He noted that although ‘Vagu’ mats were once found in almost every Kashmiri household, their use had declined over the years.
The Prime Minister singled out Srinagar-based artisan Ghulam Hussain and his daughter, Tanzila, for taking the initiative to revive the traditional craft.
“Amidst that, Ghulam Hussain ji from Srinagar and his daughter, Tanzila ji, took a pledge. Both dedicated themselves to reviving the tradition of the ‘Vagu’ craft,” Modi said.
He said Hussain came from a humble background and faced numerous challenges in preserving the craft, but remained steadfast in his efforts. Modi added that Hussain’s determination inspired many others to join the initiative and that the revival also received support from the local government.
Highlighting the growing popularity of the handcrafted mat, the Prime Minister said ‘Vagu’ was now reaching markets beyond Kashmir and described its revival as an example of the success of the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.
“I am immensely proud of everyone associated with this effort. Today, we are all emphasizing local products; we are moving forward with the mantra of ‘Vocal for Local.’ In this context, do consider making Kashmir’s ‘Vagu’ a part of your home as well,” Modi said during Mann Ki Baat.
