- Babar, the Pashmina, Sustainability and Climate Change crusader, gets the Pashmina Engagement across UK triggered through his talk Wisdom of Shepherds
LONDON: The High Commission of India, London organised an event to sensitize the Indian Diaspora about the challenges and opportunities of the Pashmina Industry of India. The high profiled, by invite only event, was organised at The St. James Court London and was attended by over 100 people. The event was positioned as a celebration of Pashmina and the prominent position it maintains within the textile industry of India. Babar, who is formally and informally quoted as, ‘The Most Credible Man on Pashmina in the World’, was invited to share his work, journey and the vision ahead for the industry eco-system at this profiled international event.
The documentary titled ‘Call of Pashmina’ made on his life, by international directors, (who chose his life journey to share with the world an inspiring story) has won over seven international awards was screened at the event.
Babar left a cushy Silicon Valley career to highlight complex issues concerning pashmina eco-system which includes, climate change leading to the displacement of nomadic and weaver communities, preserve the diminishing species of the delicate pashmina goats, fight against exploitation by traders and middle-men, prevent demoralisation and depression among artisans, and introduce healthcare and education in the community.
He humbly introduced himself as a student of life and a sustainability, climate change and Pashmina crusader who chose to become an artist and a shepherd eight years ago when he read the news of 25,000 pashmina goats died due to the impact of climate change. It is easy to be misled by his down-to-earth demeanour and warm, shy, man-next-door smile.
But, Babar Afzal from India was in London on serious business a few years ago; to share a platform with the world’s greatest disruptive minds, at WIRED Event held at the London Tobacco Dock, where he got the leaders and the thinkers of the world to look at the authentic Pashmina eco-system of India and engage with it in different manners for the first time.
Since then there has been a growing interest coming from the United Kingdom for this industry. Babar has won multiple fellowships and Awards for being among the top global geniuses (profiled by TIME Magazine ‘The Genius Issue’), who abandoned their comfort zone to understand and attempt to solve complex challenges faced by communities, industries and the planet. A recognised Pashmina cruisader in India, Babar has shared platforms with prodigies like Thor Bjorgolfsson, Mustafa Suleyman and Taavet Hinrikus and has delivered strong and meaningful messages to the world through his spiritual connection with Pashmina, developing new art form (duly recognised by the Government), highlighting core issues of pashmina, the environmental hazards of climate change in the Himalayan region of Leh-Ladakh and the threats of fake pashmina being smuggled by China.
Babar in his talk said that there is a need to break the monopolies and we will help open doors for everyone. There is a great demand for luxury products globally. And with the Make in India campaign, we see that pashmina is the only true luxury product of India. Over the years he has held several impactful conferences, dismantled pashmina nexus, served notices to over 150 fake pashmina dealers and challenged Indian corporate honchos for airing misleading adverts on pashmina.
His work has won him huge international credibility including National and International Awards, like the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award, Dr BR Ambedkar, Shri. Rabindranath Tagore Award, Promising Indian award, The Karmaveer Chakra (UN), The Bharat Gaurav Award, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award etc. He is amongst the very few who have been profiled by the BBC, TIME Magazine (Genius Issue), CNN and Bloomberg Global for his selfless work and how he is using a new art form as a centrepiece to reposition pashmina on the global platform.
He is also a TED Residency Finalist, NY and a seven times TEDx Speaker and a WIRED Innovation Fellow UK. Because of the fascination with this fibre and the craft, Babar spent years learning the intricate sozni (sui or needle) work on pashmina. “With my background as an abstract artist, I now paint on pashmina with needle work. Becoming a shepherd was the first challenge and then learning the intricate sozni work on pashmina was the next. I am happy that I have built the foundation for my long term role in this industry.”
That is a lot of work to take on for a single person, but he is willing to do so because he firmly believes that the Himalayan community is the original stakeholder in the Global Luxury and Fashion Industry and is making powerful attempts to link these communities and their work to global industries and the fashion elite. According to him, the symbolism of the Himalayan shepherds and nomads hold the secret of handling the most important aspects of life – money, health, relationships and happiness. It was this belief that made him start the Pashmina Goat Project.
The core idea of the project is to fight for justice and enhance the lives of 50,000 shepherds, over 3,00,000 craftsmen and 2,00,000 pashmina goats by creating a retail fair trade platform driven by technology and love. “We are linking the Shepherds and Nomads and Weavers directly with the Luxury and Fashion Industry of the world so that they get their due share/stake in the industry,” says Babar. Babar and his team showcased the finest and the purest Pashmina from the mountains, at the exhibition which is the Gold Standard of Pashmina globally.
The High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam, gave the welcome address and praised the artisans of Ladakh and, Jammu and Kashmir for their extreme skill in producing these inimitable pieces bought by people world over. Lakshmi Kaul, Head CII UK welcomed the guests from different sectors and the Deputy High Commissioner Shri. Charanjeet Singh who was responsible for smooth execution of the event with the help of Shri. Rohit Wadhwana, First Secretary, Shri Amish Tripathi, Director Nehru Center and Shri Brij Guhare, Deputy Director Nehru Center, thanked the participants and the profiled audiences that included, Navnit Dholakia, Baron Dholakia OBE, Lord Swaraj Paul, Shreela Flather, Baroness Flather, MP Virendra Sharma, Former MEP Neena Gill, Indian Business Women Celebrity, Shahnaz Hussain, Regional Manager of Air India Suhash Jadav, CMD Exim Bank.
The other participants who were also invited to represent and participate in this event were Shri. Aejaz Sheikh (A Graduate from Kashmir and a Business Man), Smt. Varuna Anand (Designer), Smt. Henna Anjum, (Founder of the social media and sustainability campaign #WhoMadeMyPashmina & National Awardee) and Alhana Babar (Child Social Worker, TEDx Speaker & National Awardee from J&K).
Babar in his talk spoke about India’s soft power and her ability to attract the world towards its rich culture and heritage is what inspired him to turn the course of his life to understand and participate in the new growth story of New India and the bold campaigns and initiatives of the Government of India that give youngsters like him the confidence to rightly represent the industry and the country at global platforms.
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