Pulling down shutters of Kashmir Arts Emporia in different metropolises will be slaughtering a noble idea for mismanagement and lack of imagination. The government contemplating to wind up the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Sales and Export Corporation looking after management of the Arts Emporium for failure of its coping up with growing financial requirements is an ill-advised and ill-conceived proposition that needs to be shelved once for all. Instead, the government needs to work for making these emporiums in true sense as show windows of rich cultural heritage of the state.
The Kashmir Government Arts Emporium was set up in 1948 with twin objectives, one, to provide a show window to outside world about arts, crafts and cultural heritage of the state and second, to provide market cover to the poor artisans and craftsmen who had been for centuries exploited by the middle man. It had established its branches all over country. In eighties, the number of branches had gone up to twenty-five and the corporation at that time was contemplating to have outlet in major international cities. With the sole objective of introducing rich heritage of Kashmir arts in international markets, the corporation in collaboration with India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) held exhibition in important cities of the world including Frankfurt, London, Paris and various cities of Arab Emirates. The corporation had two production centers. Engaging best artisans, these centers improved upon traditional designs and brought them in tune with the market requirements. Of all the corporations in the state the handicrafts corporation was a vibrant organization. The corporation like all other sectors suffered a setback because of political disturbances in the state. And neither the state nor the centre government came forwards to salvage this important corporation but instead the state bureaucracy pursuing a myopic policy closed down some of the major and viable show rooms in commercially viable cities. Some of these showrooms like the one in Kashmir House at Prithvi Raj road had emerged as icons of Kashmir in the capital. These showrooms were often part of itineraries of top international dignitaries visiting the capital.
The government instead of contemplating closure of the showrooms should work on reviving its old glory.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST