J-K govt for 'direct liaison' between tourists, artisans: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has said that his government is focussed to showcase handicrafts and other arts in a meaningful way and facilitate direct interaction between tourists and artisans.
This would help in attracting visitors to the interiors of the city and purchase handicrafts and art pieces directly from the manufacturers, Omar said after inspecting an exhibition of art works at Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre at Ganpatyar in the Old City here yesterday.
"The government has focussed to showcase handicrafts and artisans in a meaningful way and develop direct liaison of tourists visiting the Valley with the large number of handicraft manufacturers in Sheher-i-Khas (Old city) and help holistic development of this important economic activity and the artisans," he said.

The chief minister said the force of art and craft can create bonds of unity and cooperation between artisans of different areas and cultures.
"Arts and crafts act as brand ambassadors of civilisation, heritage, culture and give details about the people, their living standards and status," he said.
Omar said various attractions for tourists are being created in Sheher-i-Khas besides the launch of Artisans Cluster Development Programme, that aims at boosting the sale of handicrafts.
The theme of the exhibition to develop the idea of conjoining lands through geography, pictorial antecedents and history of Kashmir is an excellent concept to bind the artisans and areas.

Many artisans and artists of Srinagar are participating in the exhibition - a multi-media project undertaken through a collaborative effort by Asian Heritage Foundation, Kashmir Tourism Department and INTACH.