CDI to introduce courses on Kashmiri handicraft

Srinagar, Apr 18 (UNI) The Craft Development Institute (CDI), set-up here under the Prime Minister's massive economic package for Jammu and Kashmir, will soon introduce several programmes for the youth seeking entrepreneurial opportunities in the handicraft sector.

It would conduct a two-year course in craft management and entrepreneurial leadership aimed at preparing visionary leaders and entrepreneurs who may create, manage and evolve craft enterprises across diverse situations, CDI spokesman Naseer Zargar said.

He said the programme, a first of its nature in the country, was based on a multi-disciplinary concept of interfacing the applied aspects of design, management and technology in an integrated fashion within overall context of handicrafts.

The course has been conceived in response to various requirements and concerns expressed by the handicraft industry to multifold its scale of production and business, he added.

CDI was also introducing a one-year professional programme in textile design and application to cater to the emerging needs of the handicraft industry -- textile-based crafts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Zargar said the objectives of this programme were to develop a functional understanding of design and its application within a commercial context.

He said the institute was set up in 2004 with the objective of pursing integrated development of the handicraft sector, other skill-based income generating activities and small and medium enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

''The institute is a key part of network of organisations and other institutions of the region, involved in academic and practical research and implementation toward economic development, by generating employment, enhancing traditional skills and building relevant resources,'' the spokesman added.

Mr Zargar said that the institute was set to play an important role in aligning the handicraft sector on a fresh track of growth, innovation and development.

He said the craft sector was the second largest employment provider in the country and has the potential for a multi-fold expansion, international recognition and to co-partner growth and development into the 21st century.

''It is definitely a highly challenging task to evolve necessary competence and build capacity and capability in the area of handicrafts. The handicraft exports from India has shown an increase of 10.02 per cent in 2005-06, touching 3.28 billion US dollars. The growth of the sector is indicative of an expanding potential that brings along newer opportunities of business, production, trade and employment,'' the spokesman said.

A professional approach could help the overall development of the craft sector through bridging traditional practices and techniques with the emerging requirements of the global markets, he added.

Mr Zargar said in view of a long-term strategy for strengthening the sector and also in concurrence with the broader objectives defined for CDI, specific training and education programmes have been proposed to be introduced by the institute.

He said the long-term programmes were proposed with a fundamental belief that creation of professionally trained and motivated human resource would begin to influence the overall character and quality of development of the handicraft sector.

The spokesman said the objective of the programmes would be to provide best possible education and training, comparable to any premier institution in the country and establish visionary leadership for the growth and development of the craft industry.

He said the graduates of the programmes would find themselves competent to start their independent ventures as craft entrepreneurs. They may also have rewarding career opportunities as craft managers in the private or social enterprises related to handicrafts or become future trainers in government and other organisations, Mr Zargar added.

UNI