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[[The inclusion of the city of Srinagar in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has given hope to artisans in troubled Kashmir. VOA's Bilal Hussain reports from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir.]]
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script Sringar Handicrafts - Hussain
Handcrafts in Srinagar PREVIEW TV
HEADLINE: Artisans in Troubled Srinagar, Kashmir, Get Helping Hand
TEASER: UNESCO network helps market urban areas where creativity is vital part of development
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Bilal Hussain
CONTRIBUTOR: VOA Mandarin Service
DATELINE: Srinagar, India-administered Kashmir
VIDEOGRAPHER: Hibah Bhat
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:
Please return to Bilal Hussein and Kevin Enochs and copy to HFR when done Here's Bilal's email ibilalhussain@gmail.com ))
((INTRO))
[[The inclusion of the city of Srinagar in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has given hope to artisans in troubled Kashmir. VOA's Bilal Hussain reports from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir.]]
((VIDEO: VOA- Artisans working in challenging situations- June 25, 2022))
((NARRATOR))
Srinagar’s entry into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is good news for artisans working in troubled Kashmir.
((SOT: Carpet weaver Shanawaz Sofi, Carpet Weaver))
((Shanawaz Sofi, Carpet Weaver)) ((Kashmiri))
“It created an awareness among the masses at national and international level. The tourists started visiting artisans and buying their produce directly.”
((NARRATOR))
Created in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network highlights urban areas where creativity is a vital part of development.
The network highlights over 200 cities around the world.
Amjid Ali, who works in papier-mache, [[paper muh-shay]] says he’s optimistic as the city prepares to host what the Department of Handicrafts is calling a craft safari.
((SOT: Amjid Ali, Papier mâché artisan))
((Amjid Ali, Papier-Mâché Artisan)) ((Kashmiri))
“This is an achievement in itself. The craft safari is a step toward promoting art in Srinagar. All we need is government support in marketing and to let people know how artisans work."
(NARRATOR))
Tariq Amhad Zargar, director of the Handicrafts and Handloom Division, says one goal of the craft safari is for the artists to receive more of the profits.
((SOT: Tariq Ahmad Zargar, Director, Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir division))
((Tariq Ahmad Zargar, Handicrafts and Handloom Division Director)) (Kashmiri and Urdu))
“We try our best to provide a platform to the artisans by organizing more and more exhibitions and marketing for their products so they can sell their inventories to consumers directly.”
((NARRATOR))
Despite the ongoing conflict in Kashmir, artisans are surviving in Srinagar.
But it’s not easy….
The region was completely shut down for months after the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
COVID-19 also brought Kashmiri life to a halt in in 2020.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a local trade union, estimated the region lost $7 billion because of the continuous lockdowns.
((SOT: Mahboob Ali Baigh, Shawal Artisan))
((Mahboob Ali Baigh, Embroiderer) ((Kashmiri))
“It was only through the community that we could survive. These tours connect the buyers and artisans. The potential customer gets a chance to meet the artisans and share their feelings, which is of prime importance."
((NARRATOR))
Artisans sharing their objects of beauty in troubled times.
((Bilal Hussain, for VOA News, in Sringar, India-administered Kashmir))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Bilal Hussain
Embargo DateAugust 10, 2022 22:52 EDT
Byline ((Bilal Hussain, for VOA News,
in Sringar, India-administered Kashmir))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
