Kanihama to be developed as handloom village
Srinagar, January 5
For decades, Kanihama village, which falls on the national highway connecting central Kashmir to the northern parts of the region, has been a hub for the production of antique kani pashmina shawls as 40 per cent of the locals are involved in the craft.
But the houses are small and people have hardly made any progress by manufacturing luxurious shawls that fetch millions in markets across the world, showing the poor economic condition of locals who are slowly abandoning the decade-old craft and hesitating from passing on the skill to their children.
The name of the village was also derived from the craft as it’s the original place from where kani shawls originated.
“For years, this village has been neglected even when we kept the craft alive despite not gaining much profit. The step has been taken late but we hope that the government will keep its promise,” said Farooq Ahmad, a weaver who has also been given a national award for his work.
It was after decades, when many artisans had switched to other laborious jobs that the government has last week decided to develop the place into a handloom village. The was announced by Budgam DC Tariq Iqbal Ganai.
While the villagers welcome the move, they are apprehensive that it must not remain just on papers like other government projects. “We want that we should be provided all facilities. Even the government should help us in educating our children and provide us looms at subsidised rates,” said Fatima Begum, a shawl weaver who has four school-going children.
The DC said the Ministry of Textiles had approved the development of Kanihama as a handloom village for being the traditional seat of pashmina and kani shawl weaving. He said the village was a convenient and suitable place for having around 250 handloom weaver households besides being home to 500 crewel and sozni artisans, famous for their embroidery works.
He said the facilities, including looms, handlooms, handicraft showrooms and design training centres, would be available in the village.
The works to be carried outinclude drinking water and toilet facilities; repair and construction of village’s inner roads, 30 work sheds, 20 looms, parks; installation of solar streetlights, hoardings, signages; and creation of tourist spots. — TNS
