Srinagar: The Handicrafts and Handloom Department is all set to confer the annual UT Artisan Awards for the year 2024 amongst the selected craft-persons, who have kept the famed handicrafts legacy alive in Jammu & Kashmir.
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, who is also Minister In-Charge Industries & Commerce, shall distribute the coveted awards here at the picturesque SKICC on November 25, in presence of the Commissioner/ Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh, an official press release informed Monday.
The press release stated that 38 artisans and weavers, 20 from Kashmir and 18 from Jammu division respectively, shall be conferred with the prestigious UT Artisan Awards in different notified crafts, who have been selected by the government. “All arrangements have been made at SKICC Auditorium for the gala function. The award for the artisans shall accompany a citation and cash prizes of ₹50,000, ₹30,000 & ₹20,000 for first three places in each craft,” it added.
Identifying welfare of artisans and weavers as the primary objective of the department, the release asserted that the coveted annual Artisan Awards distribution is an effort of the government to recognize the contribution of our artisan community who toil hard to keep the handicrafts heritage alive in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Apart from UT Artisan Awards, which are given out annually, our artisans have regularly brought laurels for J&K by winning the prestigious Padma and Shilp Guru Awards at the national level. “Even in the international arena, our artisans have distinguished themselves by capturing the eyes of the art connoisseurs,” it added.
The press release further stated that the selection of entries for UT Artisan Awards for the year 2025 is already in process.