Latest news with #GI-certified
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Counterfeit crisis: J&K government bans machine-made products from handicrafts showrooms
Counterfeit crisis: J&K government bans machine-made products from handicrafts showrooms SRINAGAR: Famed for its centuries-old handicraft tradition from intricate hand-knotted carpets to the world-renowned Pashmina shawls, first introduced to Europe by Queen Josephine of France, Kashmir's artisan legacy now faces a credibility crisis. Following complaints about Kashmiri handicrafts dealers misguiding tourists and selling them machine-made products by passing off the items as handmade, the J&K government Friday issued notices to all handicrafts dealers in Kashmir Valley, directing them to remove machine-made items from their showrooms within seven days or face blacklisting and deregistration for unfair trade practices. In the notice, the handicrafts department banned the sale and display of machine-made products in Kashmiri handicrafts stores, reminding dealers that as part of the registration process, they submit a sworn affidavit to the government, stating that they exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmiri handicrafts products at their business establishments. The notice said that during recent inspections, it was found that 'several dealers have violated the extant rules by displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as genuine' Kashmiri handicrafts, adding that such 'malpractices undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmiri handicrafts'. It further directed dealers to ensure that all relevant documents — including GI labelling certifications — are prominently displayed at their showroom for inspection and sale. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo On Thursday, J&K CM Omar Abdullah had taken serious cognisance of counterfeit, machine-made carpets being passed off as authentic Kashmiri hand-knotted products and directed action against showrooms and retail outlets engaged in the malpractice. Omar noted that such fake 'handicrafts' would damage the globally acclaimed brand of Kashmiri handmade carpets and adversely affect the artisan families depending on this craft for their livelihood. Earlier on Tuesday, the handicrafts department deregistered a retailer — The Kashmir Art Bazaar on Gulmarg Road — after finding it guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.5 lakh to an unsuspecting tourist, by passing it off as a hand-knotted, GI-certified Kashmiri handicraft. Officials found that the seller had used a fake QR label which closely resembled the official tag used by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, misleading the buyer into believing that the product was an original GI-certified item.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kashmir Inc urges for combating counterfeit carpets
Members of Kashmir Industry have sought measures to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets after a craft dealer was blacklisted by the handicraft authorities for selling a machine-made carpet as handmade for ₹2.5 lakh in North Kashmir's Tangmarg Members of Kashmir Industry have sought measures to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets after a craft dealer was blacklisted by the handicraft authorities for selling a machine-made carpet as handmade for ₹ 2.5 lakh in North Kashmir's Tangmarg (Representational image) Prominent businessman and former chairperson of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Ashiq has called upon government and industry stakeholders to take immediate action to combat the surge of counterfeit and machine-made carpets falsely marketed as genuine Kashmiri handicrafts. Sheikh Ashiq,who serves on the boards of both the Carpet Export Promotion Council and The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, accused certain traders and retailers of blending machine-made carpets—including imports from countries like Iran and Turkey—with traditional Kashmiri handwoven carpets in local showrooms. He stressed that this practice not only erodes the unique identity and standing of Kashmiri products globally but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of local artisans. 'A single handmade carpet represents the year-long dedication of an artisan, while a machine-made carpet can be produced en masse within a day. This imbalance is driving skilled weavers towards joblessness and severely threatening a craft that is an integral part of our heritage,ˮ he remarked. On Tuesday, directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir blacklisted and deregistered craft showroom - The Kashmir Art Bazaar, Tangmarg - after it was found guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for ₹2.55 lakh to a tourist by fraudulently passing it off as a hand-knotted Kashmiri GI-certified product, officials said. The seller used a fake QR label resembling the official label issued by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) to mislead the buyer into believing the carpet was a genuine GI-certified craft. Ghulam Nabi Dar, president of Meeras and a respected manufacturer, also voiced the escalating concerns among Kashmiri craftsmen. He highlighted not only the lack of support for senior artisans but also the urgent need to ensure machine-made and handmade carpets are sold separately to prevent misrepresentation of Kashmiri handicrafts.
India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Tailored to succeed National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad
NIFT's Hyderabad campus is where tradition meets innovation to shape a new generation of fashion designers who are globally attuned, yet deeply committed to India's regional crafts NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (NIFT) , Hyderabad No. 4 (2025) up from No. 6 (2020) Since its inception in 1995, NIFT's Hyderabad campus has grown into a vital hub for fashion education and innovation in South India. From just two courses at launch, it now offers seven, serving over 1,000 full-time and 60 part-time students on its expansive nine-acre campus. 'NIFT's early establishment in Hyderabad placed it at the forefront of design education in a region with a rich handloom and craft tradition,' says director Dr Malini Divakala. That legacy continues through the institute's active role in supporting Geographical Indication (GI) status for nine traditional crafts across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Seminars, workshops and field projects are central to this outreach. The institute's academic ethos is marked by interdisciplinary learning that's locally rooted yet globally aware. Its faculty includes PhD-holders, published researchers and seasoned industry consultants. Landmark contributions include Pramanik, a comprehensive publication on 10 GI-certified handicrafts and handlooms from the Telugu states. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE The institute partners with organisations such as the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) to give students hands-on experience with rural artisans. A collaboration with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and Satavahana University is paving the way for a new programme in Design & Technology. Alumni describe their time at NIFT as transformative. 'It was a space of growth, where diverse perspectives, collaborative spirit and academic rigour come together seamlessly,' says Rakesh Ranjan from the class of 2007. For Tuhin Roy, four years his senior and now an entrepreneur, 'NIFT gave me more than just technical skills; it gave me a mindset, vision, a voice and a global perspective rooted in Indian sensibilities.'
