Couple from Udhampur revived traditional bamboo craft art
Udhampur (ANI): A husband-wife duo has revived the bamboo craft industry in Udhampur. Engaging in the age-old craft, Meena Devi and her husband Bishan Das have not only revived this traditional art form but also embraced modernization with the latest machines provided by the government. The Karkhandar Scheme of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, which aims to revive dying crafts and promote overall development of the crafts sector in the Union Territory, has played an important role in this transformation. Launched in 2021 as part of the Self-reliant India initiative, the Kharkhandar Scheme under the Handicrafts and Handlooms Department Jammu has proven to be a game-changer for the artisans of the region. Under this scheme, Udhampur based artisans have received state-of-the-art machines, which has significantly reduced the time taken in bamboo crafting and increased their earning potential.
Known to promote ‘Golden Hands’ and contribute to India’s self-reliance, the initiative has breathed new life into the traditional craft. Meena Devi, a central figure in this success story, received training in bamboo crafts at the Bhagpur Bamboo Crafts Training Center in 1982. Along with her husband Bishan Das of Nagrota, near Girls Middle School in Udhampur, Meena Devi is now engaged in bamboo craft using the latest machines provided by the Government of India under its schemes.
These modern machines have not only saved time but also increased the production of bamboo crafts and their income. Meena Devi and her husband said that earlier they used to work by hand, which limited their production and profitability, as bamboo craft requires a lot of effort. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for launching this scheme, which has helped them save time, increase production and increase their earnings.
Speaking to ANI, Meena Devi said, “…earlier the work was done by hand but now machines are being used. The government has helped in this regard…I and my husband are engaged in this work. Earlier there were problems regarding the provision of bamboo, but today it is available everywhere… There are different varieties of bamboo and these are easily available today.” While Bishan Das said, “…I retired in 2018 and since then I am engaged in handicraft work with my wife…I would like to thank the Government of India for giving the loan to purchase the machines…We are Have trained 10 women…handicrafts are in great demand today.” Meena Devi and her husband make lamps, flags, trays and many other decorative items from bamboo.
He also thanked the Central Government as well as the J-K UT Administration for their support in reviving the traditional craft. The impact of the Kharkhandar scheme is not limited to just providing machines; It also provides training and market linkage opportunities to artisans. This holistic approach has empowered artisans like Meena Devi and Bishan Das, enabling them to preserve their ancestral crafts while prospering economically. (ANI)
