Looms That Must Not Fall Silent

Kashmir’s artisans are not merely craftspeople. They are the custodians of a civilisation expressed through thread, wood, wool and clay. Every shawl woven, every carpet knotted, every piece of papier-mâché painted carries centuries of inherited skill. Yet for years, these custodians have struggled with a quiet crisis—not of talent, but of capital. That is why the Handicrafts and Handloom Department’s latest figures are worth noting. Loans worth Rs 14.71 crore have been extended under the Credit Card Scheme in just the first two quarters of this financial year. Of 3,885 applications sponsored to banks, 1,332 have been sanctioned and 1,054 disbursed. More significantly, since the credit limit was raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh in 2020, over 10,000 craftsmen have accessed loans totalling Rs 151 crore, backed by Rs 19 crore in interest subvention. These are not just numbers. They represent a weaver who no longer has to borrow from a moneylender at punishing rates. A young artisan who can buy raw material without selling a family heirloom. A unit-holder who can finally think about expansion instead of survival. The 7 per cent tapering interest subvention for five years is a thoughtful design—it gives new units breathing room to become self-sustaining rather than burdening them immediately. The scheme’s focus on reducing dependence on informal credit is particularly important. Artisans have long been trapped in cycles of debt because formal banking seemed inaccessible or intimidating. By working with lead banks and opening online applications through the single-window portal, with Common Service Centres available for assistance, the government is lowering those barriers. But money alone will not save a craft. The real test is whether this support retains younger craftspeople in the trade. If a young man or woman in Kanihama or Ganderbal sees a viable future at the loom, the craft survives. If not, no loan can help. The government has done its part. Banks must now treat the craft sector as priority lending, as urged. Timely, hassle-free credit is not a favour to artisans—it is an investment in Kashmir’s identity. The looms must not fall silent.