National Handloom Day Celebrated in Srinagar with Focus on Aesthetic Packaging and GI Labelling

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 7 — The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir organized an exhibition of high-value textile products made by local artisans and weavers at SK Park to commemorate National Handloom Day. The event was inaugurated by Director of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir Mussarat Islam, alongside senior officials including Development Officer Textiles Arjumand Yaqub, Assistant Director Srinagar Sadia Ahmed, and Promotion Executive Officer Riyaz Ahmad Kawoosa.

A department spokesperson highlighted the annual appeal encouraging buyers and art enthusiasts to support the “Be Vocal for Local” campaign to help make artisans and weavers self-sustained. Large numbers of visitors attended the event to purchase famous handcrafted Pashmina, Kani, and Sozni shawls. During interactions with the stallholders, the Director encouraged artisans to test and label their products at the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre at CDI Srinagar, while urging buyers to insist on QR code-based Geographical Indication products to counter counterfeit goods.

The Director emphasized the role of aesthetic packaging in enhancing the brand value of high-value shawls, announcing upcoming capacity-building workshops with the Indian Institute of Packaging, New Delhi, under the RAMP scheme. The celebration also served to highlight Srinagar’s status as a UNESCO Creative City and its designation as a Craft City by the World Crafts Council.