Textile Ministry to actively start work on Pashmina promotion program

Government of India has already announced a programme for Pashmina promotion in J&K in the budget proposals 2014-15, in response to the matter of setting up a Permanent Exhibition of Kashmiri Arts & Crafts in Kashmir. The Union Textile Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar (Independent Charge) informed Prof. Soz today.

Pashmina is the softest, exotically delicate, weightless and the finest natural insulating fiber of the world. It is extracted from the inner coats of the hardy little mountain goats (capra hircus) locally called "Chyangra", which live at the altitude above 3000 meters in the Himalayas. Such wonderful and delicate property of "Pashmina" has popularized it as the "Diamond Fiber".

The Minister also said that a Trade Facilitation Centre at Srinagar with a total project cost of Rs 12.30 crore has been approved by the Government under Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).

Now, the J&K S&E Corporation, Srinagar has been identified as the implementing agency for the said project.

The Minister has told Prof. Soz that as per the scheme guidelines, the land will be contributed by the implementing agency.

Pursuant to his (Prof. Soz’s) verbal question, it has been suggested to the Minister by Prof. Soz, through a written communication that government of India should, first of all, commit itself to provide funds for raising infrastructure within a premises where it will be possible for properly identified artisans and craftsmen to produce artifacts and display these as a permanent situation.

Prof. Soz also told the Minister that it was but natural that the land for the Permanent Exhibition would be provided by Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir.

Pashmina, the finest cashmere wool has been popular for centuries among royalty and other elites as the finest, most luxurious wool in the world. Pashmina shawls are fashion in high income society as pure Pashmina Shawl is expensive, very light, attractive, warm and beautiful.

For a thousand years or more, this glorious wool has been prized for its warmth, lightness and durability. It is not surprising that Pashmina has been successful in establishing its uniqueness among fashion wear throughout the world.

The quality and varieties of Pashmina products have been improving every year and need to be done much more. It is for these reasons, government of India decided on Pashmina promotion program in budget proposal 2014-15.