On July 24, central government reopened decades old silk factory, installed by Sir Thomas Wardle, president of the Silk Association of Great Britain in 1897, in an attempt to revive silk industry and generate job opportunities in Kashmir valley. The factory is situated at Solina Rambagh area of Srinagar city.The factory was closed down due to decreased amount of production and it also incurred huge losses.
While hailing the step taken by ruling government at the Centre, Dr Kavita Gupta, Textile Commissioner, Government of India, said, “I congratulate the government, for making efforts to create employment in the region and also to revive the culture in the region. Kashmiris can again feel proud of their silk and we should come together to celebrate this step taken by the government.”
Bashir Ahmad , an employee at the silk factory, stated that after the factory starts functioning, import of silk products from China will reduce rapidly. “In terms of quality also, the silk product manufactured in Kashmir is way far better than China,” he added.
Another employee, Abdul Rashid, while lauding the government’s initiative to eradicate the unemployment in the region said, “It is a known fact that more than 70 per cent of the youth residing in the valley are unemployed. But now that this factory has opened, many will be skilled and will able to meet their ends.”
Kashmir is known for producing one of the finest silk varieties which include lotus, iris, tulip and neel.
