Arshid Rasool
“Great industries are not set up by one person but by the combined efforts of all the stakeholders “.
Globe trotters visiting the scenic valley always have obsession with buying pashmina shawl. Pashmina is a kashmiri wool derived from the Changthangi goat. The sample of the same wool was even derived from the artifacts found from Indus valley civilization. During Mughal rule pashmina was the sign of royalty and higher rank. Popularity of pashmina is so wide spread that the word ” pashmina ” is used as a metonym for Kashmir region as it is mostly produced there by local folks Even though it being so famous around the world, the industry has not done enough for the economy of the region and locals involved in production of it.
Paucity of financial support in the industry is the symptom of artisans holding financially poor background thus making it difficult for them to have their own looms. They also have to go through vertical and horizontal hierarchy to get their payment making it difficult to run the loom. Naivety of artisans gives birth to the cycle of failure. Most artisans lack formation about different schemes run by the government for their benefit. As people involved in this industry comes from poor social economic background . They are only following their traditional ways which are often time consuming. One of the most difficult challenge that different consumer based industries face is the advent of fake products in the market. The fake textiles not only lure the customers with cheaper products but also heavily impact the sale of pashmina. Independent artisans involved in this industry are unaware about cooperative society .Their single commodity becomes difficult to derive demand and are inaccessible to the market. They have to look for their own customers. Middleman that provides service to the independent artisans, often involved in corrupt activities likes cheat, less pay, false imagery. Few other setbacks for these industries are the adulteration in the raw material due to which unaware artisans get their products rejected in market. Women spinners are abandoning spinning which affects the production of raw material.
The biggest boon for the stakeholders of pashmina industry would be the education and awareness both for producers and the consumers. Awareness to the artisans would mean better production, new designs and up to the market standard delivery of service. On the other hand awareness among the consumers would lead to avoid purchasing fake products. Policy amendments by the government like providing loans at lower interest rate for the artisans. Gestational financial support in setting up the looms, new age technology etc . Training centers that brings in labours, help the artisans to get aware of what is going in the market, and finally train them on new techniques and designs. The establishment of such training centres will not only help in better quality of production but also help the stakeholders to know about the different schemes and policies of the government related to this handcraft textile industry. The strict policies from the authorities regarding the middleman may also serve in the favour of the poor handcraft artists.
Kashmir is the major exporter of pashmina made textiles, it exports mainly to the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea and Australia. Its industry worth of crores but its value is substantially decreasing due to the challenges faced by the stakeholders specially the producers. To revive this industry and bring the glory back to the traditional art the combined efforts have to be made by all the people involved in this industry. A few could be done by government but the major steps must be taken by the successful industrialist of the region, the media and finally the people of Kashmir who can promote their traditional handicraft by the means of internet, the social media and several other means.
