Ladakh’s carpet weavers get professional training

A vibrant industry around handloom & handicraft with women participants is the aim: Biswas   

Leh, Feb 15: Traditionally, carpet weaving has been an integral part of Ladakh’s handloom sector, with women using available raw materials such as sheep and yak wool to weave warm rugs/carpets catered to their needs for warm seating and bedding purposes.

The tradition has been carried forward, however, the craft has evolved in design and techniques, while also expanding as a cottage industry to cater to the local market requirements.

With the aim to further develop this industry with improved quality, proper finishing, and developing a sustained supply chain to cater to a broader market reach, the Department of Industries and Commerce(DoI&C) has organized a 15-day carpet weaving training programme for carpet weavers at Handicraft Department, Leh. A similar workshop was conducted in Kargil recently over fifteen days.

A team from Obeetee Carpets – a manufacturer and exporter of hand-woven carpets, has been invited as the resource for the training.

Divisional Commissioner/Secretary DoI&CSaugat Biswas inaugurated the training programme in the presence of Executive Councillor Handicraft & Handloom, LAHDC Leh Ghulam Mehdi, Director DoI&C Mohammad Nazir, Joint Director DoI&CLakshyaSinghal and other concerned officials.

Biswas stated that the training is the first leap towards developing Ladakh’s carpet industry to produce finished and flawless pieces to cater to the commercial market. Biswas added that the end aim is to create a sustained industry for the economic benefit of the women weavers spread across Ladakh.

Further, he requested Director DoI&C Mohammad Nazir to arrange further training of the efficient weavers at Obeetee in specific areas such as designing, weaving, finishing, washing etc, to produce master trainers.

“One of the main objectives of such trainings is to further pass on what you have learned,” stated Biswas, while urging the trainees to ensure that they train more women in their respective Self Help Groups (SHGs). This, he stated shall be achieved with the Rural Development Department’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Secretary Industries Biswas further assured that the Handicraft Department and respective SHGsshall also be provided with the latest equipments to further assist in producing well-finished products.

The training programme shall stress on aspects such as maintaining quality, symmetry of designs, accurate finishing, use of quality raw material, etc to manufacture Ladakh-specific carpets for export purposes.