Employment Generation and Production of Jammu and Kashmir Handicraft Industry during Last Decade

Handicraft sector occupies a prime position in the Indian economy. It is the largest employer, next to agriculture. The sector, while providing livelihood for thousands of artisans, provides avenues for realization of social and cultural potential of millions of people. The mythological, religious, social, historical and artistic expressions in crafts symbolize the strengths of Indian heritage while combining in these crafts both utility and beauty. High employment potential, low per capita investment and high value addition, involvement of women and weaker section, eco friendliness and the potential to stimulate creative talents make the sector one of the most preferred sectors in the process of economic development. India which consists of a variety of ethnic traditions and culture is also a treasure house of Indian handicrafts. Exquisite handicrafts using diverse raw materials are produced in different parts of the country. This include art metal ware, wood ware, hand printed textiles and scarves, leather crafts, hand knotted carpets and embroidered goods, wood design, shawls as art ware, stone carvings, imitation jewellery and miscellaneous other handicrafts. One of the unique feature of the handicrafts is that more often the same item of the handicraft, produced in different regions, are different from each other in terms of the craftsmanship, style, colour combination and finish by artesian creativity. Handicrafts are a pivotal source of revenue generation of Jammu & Kashmir State. This industry is unique in terms of design, cost and quality of products and thus provides a competitive advantage on other national and international players of handicrafts market