- Namda craft of Jammu and Kashmir was facing extinction, but has been successfully revived through the Skill India pilot project under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
- Around 2,200 candidates from six districts of Jammu and Kashmir received training in Namda art, thereby preserving this traditional craft and empowering local weavers and artisans.
- The project demonstrates a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in skill development in collaboration with local industry partners.
Namda Crafts
- Namda is a traditional Kashmiri craft that involves making felted carpets using sheep’s wool and incorporating colourful hand embroidery.
- The credit for introducing Namda to the Kashmiri people is given to a Sufi saint named Shah-i-Hamdan.
- Unlike traditional woven carpets, Namda is made through a felting process, where the wool fibres are tangled together instead of being woven.
- The uniqueness of Namda lies in its intricate themes and floral patterns, which are inspired by nature.