213 spinning wheels installed across Valley

To safeguard and modernise the indigenous craft of hand-spinning world-famous Pashmina wool, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has installed 213 modern charkhas across its 16 Pashmina Spinning Training Centres, each admitting 20 trainees.

The centres operate in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag and Bandipora districts.

A spokesperson said the modern charkhas, designed by SKUAST-Kashmir, provide improved posture support for artisans, who previously had to sit on haunches to hand-spin the delicate fibre. “The modern charkha also increases daily yield at least three times, thereby increasing the financial income of the artisans,” he said.

Highlighting further advantages, the spokesman said the paddle-driven charkhas help enhance uniformity in Pashmina yarn count. “The modern charkha is also easy to operate and offers a comfort zone to the spinners, contrary to the much tiring experience on the traditional charkhas earlier,” he added.