Thai delegation proposes to buy Pashmina from Kashmir

01 Apr '13

2 min read

Kashmiri handicraft industry has a reason to cheer, as a Thai delegation has expressed desire to procure Pashmina items only from Kashmir, Greater Kashmir reported.

Acknowledging the quality of Kashmiri Pashmina, the delegation led by Woolen Mills Director Zuates Mark said there is good scope for Kashmiri Pashmina items in foreign countries.

Visiting several places in the valley, where the work of Pashmina weaving is undertaken, Ms. Mark said they were impressed to see the tremendous efforts that artisans put in for preparing various Pashmina products like shawls, etc.

Impressed by the determination and hardwork of the even women workers, who too work untiringly to weave these items, and the quality of the products, the delegation has decided to procure Pashmina items solely from Kashmir, she added.

Genuineness of Pashmina is the only thing that they are concerned about. However, introduction of nanotechnology to trace genuineness of the Pashmina products, have given them a confidence that they would get the original stuff.

Pashmina Ghar Export Limited, a well-known name in Pashmina industry, which hosted the delegation in Kashmir appreciated the fact that the delegation not only visited the showrooms but also the places where Pashmina items are actually made. This allowed them realize the efforts that artisans put in to prepare these items, Pashmina Ghar Managing Director, Tariq Rashid Ghani said.

The delegation’s decision to procure Pashmina only from the valley would greatly benefit the artisans and the industry in the state. The development is also worthwhile, particularly at a time when counterfeiting is posing major challenges before the valley’s globally renowned hand-spun Pashmina, causing its market value to deplete.

However, to counter this problem the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s Handicrafts Department has evolved an idea of attaching nanotechnology chips on genuine Kashmiri Pashmina, so that one can distinguish it from counterfeits, Mr. Ghani said.

One of the world’s most delicate fabrics; Pashmina is produced from wool collected from the soft underbelly of the Himalayan Mountain Goat during spring season.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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