Kashmiri leather industry going innovative with modern time
By Bilal Butt, Srinagar: Kashmiri handicraft and its leather industry, in particular, has been a big attraction for visitors coming here from across the country and world as most of the leather items are handmade and are decorated with fine embroidery.
The Kashmir’s leather industry is getting a new boost in its demand as manufacturers are employing many innovative methods and designs to captivate a new demand.
In the wake of high potential for growth, the leather goods manufacturers in Srinagar are now producing goods keeping the latest market trends in mind.
Earlier, the leather item produced were limited mainly to bags, caps and hand gloves. But now they also include jackets, pants, vests and skirts. This has increased the sale of these products not only in India but also in abroad.
The government too has realised the growth potential in the leather industry and employment opportunities it can offer to the youth in Kashmir.
“First, we (government) give them training, we have a lot of training centres. Then, after they pass out they can go to banks, where they can get loans. The government gives them 5 per cent interest subsidy on the loans since they are self-employed,” said R.A. Quari, Director of Handicrafts, Jammu and Kashmir government.
The government is trying to encourage new styles (leather items) and less of old designs, as in (encouraging them to produce) more of products according to the market demands,” said Quari.
Most of the leather products manufacturing units are small-sized and passed usually on from one generation to another.
There are hundreds of people directly or indirectly involved with the trade, and the export of the leather products from the valley help generate revenue, much needed for a badly hit economy of the Kashmir valley.
The turn over of this leather business is roughly estimated to be in millions of dollars.
The workers as well as the owners of these manufacturing units are happy to see that their attempts at new patterns and designs are being appreciated by customers.
“We make bags, jackets, everything. There are lots of (leather goods) manufacturing units, lot of people are working. Thanks to God, it is going on really well,” said Mushtaq Bhat, a worker in the leather industry.
The leather items were mainly exported to Russia but now they are also being exported to European markets. The new designs are not going unnoticed by Indian buyers either. Many tourists arriving in the valley buy these items for themselves and their friends.
“I really like it. I really liked the leather jackets for children and for myself. (Leather items are) very good,” said Kajal, a customer in a leather goods store.
– Asian News International (ANI)
