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Category: INTERVIEWS/PROFILES

Published: 26 March 2019

NEW DELHI: Henna Babar has been conferred with Honoris Causa, Honorary Doctoral Award by the international partnering University and Confederation of International Accreditation Commission (CIAC Global), an International quality rating & accreditation agency for outstanding performance and excellent contribution with undisputed commitment through her sustainable work in the field of Social Entrepreneurship and preservation and promotion of authentic Pashmina and livelihood promotion of communities linked to the authentic Pashmina eco system on India.  The award ceremony was held at the India International Center, New Delhi.

The award was presented at 6th International Education Forum Ceremony at the India International Centre, New Delhi by Prof. Dr. GD Singh and Padam Shri Dr. Vijay Shah. Henna’s work is regarded as a contribution by women to empower communities across Jammu and Kashmir, India. She is the founder of the campaign #WhoMadeMyPashmina that is an online and offline campaign to spread awareness and bring in Transparency in the Authentic Pashmina Eco System of J&K and India. Speaking at the ceremony she explained that the Pashmina Industry of J&K employs lakhs of people in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is therefore one of the key economic driver of the state.

The industry needs a campaign to ensure that the communities that are linked to this authentic eco-system are saved from exploitation. Henna, has been advocating for long term strategic and sustainable growth for the entire authentic Pashmina industry in the global marketplace. Henna explained that the campaign #WhoMadeMyPashmina is a part of the bigger vision that is poised to be a global movement of people who are the consumers of Pashmina in India and across the world. Anyone who has ever bought a Pashmina or plans to buy in the future should become a part of this campaign.

Speaking at the ceremony she asked, “Have you ever wondered who made your Pashmina ? How much they’re paid, and What their lives are like ?”. Majority of the people who makes Pashmina for the global market live in poverty and unable to afford life’s basic necessities. Many are subject to exploitation and working in unsafe and extreme climatic conditions, with very little earnings. This community suffers because there is no pressure from the consumers who have the power to change the future of these communities by asking tough questions. Henna is also a recipient of Smt. Nirmala Deshpande Award for her social work in the region.