Srinagar (Jammu-Kasmir): Kashmir women artisans would ensconce themselves for days to make famous handicraft products, but in turn would get peanuts for their hard work. These women artisans have played an important role in making Kashmir's handicrafts an international brand.
For lack of education and awareness, these artisans could not sell their products directly into the market and were unaware of the latest trends and designs. Now, artisans are being trained and taught about the marketing and international trade fairs and latest designs.
With the intervention of the Jammu and Kashmir government which roped an international marketing consultancy for artisans, Aid to Artisans, these women are now eying trade fairs and online buyers.
Sabrina Yousuf, a young artisan from Srinagar's Downtown, told ETV Bharat that she like other artisans after days of hard work would make handicraft products, however, were unaware that they can also sell the products. "We thought we are only artisans and makers, but now we can become sellers as well removing the middlemen from the market chain," she said.
Aaliyah Kulsoom, who is the Project Manager, told ETV Bharat that the women artisans are being trained in the export and online selling of their finished products. "Very soon these artisans will be in international fairs with their products," she added.
Javaid Dar who is Project Coordinator of Aid to Artisans Consultancy told ETV Bharat that the government's initiative to rope in the consultancy is to promote women artisans and encourage them to market their products themselves.
READ: Handicraft department organises awareness camp for artisans in Srinagar
