To protect age-old tradition of Kashmir handicrafts, the Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has decided to form and depute a team of their members to check the sale of machine-made items being traded as authentic handicrafts by many shopkeepers across Kashmir. It is a very important issue and KCCI has taken the lead which is appreciable. It goes without saying that most of the times tourists are duped and deceived by some shopkeepers who sell them the machine-made products while terming them as the handicrafts of Kashmir. These unscrupulous elements by indulging in these dirty practices bring a bad reputation to Kashmir and its people and also discredits the age-old craft of handicrafts in Kashmir. Besides, the sale of fake products is affecting the businesses of genuine traders. the worst-hit hand-made product is the Kashmiri carpet as reports suggest that traders here would sell around 4000 real Kashmiri carpets and now the number has reduced to a bare minimum as machine-made carpets are being sold under the name of hand-made Kashmiri carpets.
While Srinagar has been officially recognised as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council and the recognition has been welcomed by one and all as it will undoubtedly elevate Srinagar’s global standing. This recognition will not only boost the economy but will help preserve its cultural heritage and also foster international cultural exchange, making it a more vibrant and economically sustainable city. Srinagar’s crafts continue to flourish and captivate the world with their beauty and craftsmanship and the recognition follows Srinagar’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts in 2021.
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The recognition highlights Srinagar’s rich cultural heritage, particularly its traditional crafts like Kashmiri carpets, Pashmina shawls, paper-mache and wood carving. This international recognition can lead to increased tourism interest from those interested in exploring and purchasing authentic local crafts. But if the trend of selling fake items continues, the recognition will be of no help. This ugly trend will destroy the reputation of Kashmir and it its people. While welcoming the decision made by the KCCI, one would expect government of the day to take a serious note of this issue. If some traders are selling machine-made items, they should not be stopped from doing so but if they are selling these as authentic Kashmiri handicrafts, they should be stopped and charged for deceiving tourists and others.
