Skill India project successfully revives the dying Namda Art of Jammu and Kashmir

Source: The post is based on the article “Skill India project successfully revives the dying Namda Art of Jammu and Kashmir” published in PIB on 14th July 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has flagged off the first batch of Namda Art products for export to the United Kingdom (UK).

What is Namda Art?

Namda is a type of traditional Kashmiri rug (rug is something made of woven fabric that covers a floor).

It is made of sheep wool through felting technique instead of the normal weaving process. 

Note: Felting is the process of producing a textile or fabric by combining and compressing the loose fibers, wool or hair. 

What has the government done to revive the Namda Art?

Due to low availability of raw material, lack of skilled manpower and marketing techniques, the export of Namda craft has declined almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008.

To preserve this craft, the government has launched a project to revive the Namda craft under a Skill India’s Pilot Project as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

Under this project, nearly 2,200 candidates have been trained in the art of Namda craft, representing a significant milestone in preserving this traditional craft and empowering the local weavers and artisans. 

This project sets a great example of the public-private partnership (PPP) model in the field of skill development, as it is being implemented in collaboration with local industry partners.