Artisans allege lack of water, electricity and publicity; Handicrafts official says department only sponsored event, venue board lists it as organiser
KNB News Desk
Srinagar, Aug 8 (KNB): Artisans participating in the ongoing ten-day Gandhi Shilp Bazar at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar have expressed strong resentment over what they described as inadequate basic facilities, poor publicity and low visitor footfall at the exhibition.
Several artisans from Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, West Bengal and other states told Kashmir News Bureau that although stalls had been provided, basic arrangements including drinking water, electricity and regular on-ground assistance were allegedly lacking.
“We came here to sell our art, but even basic facilities are not available. Four days have passed and some of us have earned barely Rs 1,000,” one artisan told KNB.
The artisan alleged that participants were forced to purchase drinking water from outside and return to their accommodation to charge mobile phones due to inadequate electricity arrangements at the venue.
“If this is how an artisan exhibition is being organised, what are we supposed to take back after ten days?” the artisan questioned.
Another participant alleged that officials were primarily concerned with marking attendance and were not regularly interacting with artisans to assess their problems.
“They come in the morning, take our attendance and leave. Nobody asks whether we are facing any difficulty or whether we have been able to sell our products,” the artisan alleged.
Participants also blamed poor publicity for the low footfall, claiming that apart from banners and a billboard advertisement, little was done to create wider awareness among locals and tourists about the exhibition.“How will people visit if they do not know that an exhibition is being held here? We have come from different places to sell our handicrafts, but there should have been proper promotion,” another artisan said.
Some participants also raised concerns over the entrance arrangements at Kashmir Haat, including the presence of razor wire near the gate. They said while security measures were understandable, the entrance should also appear welcoming to visitors.
“Security is important, but arrangements should be such that people passing by feel encouraged to enter the exhibition,” an artisan said.
Expressing frustration over the management of the event, another participant said the purpose of the Gandhi Shilp Bazar should have been to promote artisans and support their livelihoods.
“The focus should have been on artisans and their livelihood. Instead, stalls have been put up and we have largely been left on our own,” the artisan alleged.Participants further claimed that several officials and dignitaries attended the inauguration but did not subsequently return to interact with them or review the arrangements.
Following a KNB video report highlighting the concerns, a person identifying himself as an official of the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir contacted KNB and maintained that the Gandhi Shilp Bazar had not been organised by the department and was only sponsored by it.
However, the clarification has raised questions as a board displayed at the venue reportedly identifies the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir as the organiser of the Gandhi Shilp Bazar.
With several days of the exhibition still remaining, participating artisans have urged the concerned authorities to ensure adequate drinking water and electricity, improve publicity and take immediate steps to increase visitor footfall so that the event serves its stated objective of promoting artisans and traditional crafts. (KNB)