State

At 66, Padma Shri awardee aims to preserve Kashmir’s ancient art

Kashmiri art dying, govt must take steps to revive Handicraft: Gh Rasool Khan

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Jan 29: A 66-year-old artist from Srinagar district has won the prestigious Padma Shri award, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his exemplary contribution to the Kashmiri Handicraft.

Haji Gh Rasool Khan, a resident of Rehmania Colony in Jogiwan Amda Kadal, who is also chairman of All J&K Shilp Guru National Award and Artisans Society has so far won many prestigious awards for his art work.

While talking exclusively on phone from Delhi to the news agency—KNO, Khan said that he has been associated with handicrafts since his childhood as his ancestors were also earning livelihood by remaining associated with the same art.

In 1998, Khan met with an accident in Delhi and his movement remained confined in a room for years. During that time he spent more time on Pashmina work.

“Handicraft is a work of patience and most people lack that patience,” he said.

Khan said for 5 years, he worked on a 64 piece shawl along with his men who were learning the art from him.

“After showing this piece to foreign designers through the handicraft department they recommended my name for state as well as for national award,” Khan said, adding that he got both the awards in 2003.

After 5 years, Khan was selected for the Shilip Guru national award for Pashmina art work.

“Later I made a 360 piece shawl in six years and received several awards,” he said.

Khan said that he is very happy for getting the Padma Shri Award as it is the recognition of his work. However, he said, Kashmir craft art is dying and the government must take steps at an earliest to save it.

“Lot of things have to be done to keep the art alive. And I want to remain healthy to do so. Craft art is unique. It is a gift of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) to us, the coming generation should also think about keeping it alive,” he said.

Khan said he has taught the handicraft art to over 500 people, however, the government must also come forward to save the art.

“There is a need to open institutions where master craft will be taught to aspiring people. There is a need to open showrooms at important markets of India where customers can purchase products directly,” he said. “There is also a need to organize programmes at different stages to educate people about Kashmiri art work and how it is different from others, so that shawls from other states or countries can’t be sold on the name of Kashmiri Shawl.”

State

Disengaged ICDS helpers have no appointment orders, were accommodated through backdoor entries: Advisor Farooq Khan

Says govt has devised scheme through which lot of qualifying helpers will be back to department; Kashmir was never peaceful as today in past 31 years

(Asian News Hub) – Farooq Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that all the ICDS helpers who were engaged in the department have no appointment order, however, the government tried hard to accommodate them, which could not happen.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Khan as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that all these helpers were brought into the department through backdoor entries as none of them have any appointment order.

“We have been trying hard for the last one year to somehow accommodate them, but it did not happen as nobody has any appointment order. Now we have devised a new scheme, where we are creating several posts for these helpers and those who will be qualifying for the post, we will give them extra marks in the interview for their experience,” Khan said.

Also Read: Dozen sheep killed in cloudburst in Ganderbal

He said that through this mechanism lot of these helpers will be back to the department and urged the helpers no to choose agitation as a way as government is trying to ensure that nobody remains unemployed in Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: Post Feb Ceasefire pact, Gurez peaceful; people living without fear: Lt Gen D P Pandey

He also said that there has been nothing wrong done to anybody especially after August 05, 2019 and if there wrong happening it is because of the mistakes done in the past by those who befooled the people of Jammu and Kashmir was never so peaceful as today in the past 31 years,” he said.

State

Youth injured in firing incident in Baramulla

(Asian News Hub) – A youth was injured in firing incident at Azad Gunj area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching GNS said that youth identified as Mohsin Solih of Iqbal Colony Baramulla was injured in firing allegedly by security forces.

Also Read: Post Feb Ceasefire pact, Gurez peaceful; people living without fear: Lt Gen D P Pandey

While circumstances leading to firing were not known immediately, the youth has been shifted to Srinagar hospital. He has reported suffered injury in leg.

More details will follow.

State

Dozen sheep killed in cloudburst in Ganderbal

(Asian News Hub) – At least a dozen sheep died after a cloudburst hit Laman Wangath Naranag area in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, officials said here.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the cloudburst hit Laman Wangath Naranag area and left around a dozen sheep dead and several others injured.

Also Read: Post Feb Ceasefire pact, Gurez peaceful; people living without fear: Lt Gen D P Pandey

They said that the livestock belonged to Bakarwal of Ganderbal, while a police party has been deputed to the spot to access the loss.