Despite growing challenges like synthetic textiles and mass production, the cotton industry in Kashmir continues to process and preserve the purity of the jewel crown.
The cotton industry and the artists never budge to the challenges like machine made cotton products that come in a mass production.
From generations, the cotton made products by the artisans of Kashmir are globally known for its fabric, texture and fine handmade work. The fabric in cotton is worldwide famous, especially the Pashmina.
In the industry, hundreds of families are still associated with the business despite the tough competition and challenges.
However, nowadays, many youngsters are being seen in reviving the century old tradition of spinning and weaving the cotton to keep it growing and alive in the international market.
Even, many entrepreneurs have established small scale units and establishments to keep the legacy alive. Currently, the cotton industry in Kashmir is facing a major challenge like synthetic textiles, mass production and reduced artistry.
In moderate cold weather and climatic regions, the public in Kashmir prefer cotton and wool products. The purchase of local cotton products does not remain confined to the people of Jammu and Kashmir only but also the international visitors. The artisans believe that the tourists arriving from the different parts of the world prefer to buy the cotton products of Kashmir keeping in view the texture and the unique designs.
As the world is driven by fast and disposable products, there is a need of the government support to the artisans who don’t earn much out of it but work only to preserve the decade’s old legacy.
Not only the government, there is a need for interference from the civil society members and the concerned authorities to help the artisans in further promoting the importance of the cotton industry and the survival of the artisans.