Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. GANDERBAL: With an aim to blend tradition with technology, the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), Wednesday started a 10-day workshop on “Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Kashmiri Crafts,” for artisans at Tulmulla Campus here.
Inaugurating the workshop, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, described the event as a wonderful initiative to safeguard Kashmir’s cultural identity while strengthening livelihoods. Emphasising Kashmir’s global reputation as a seat of knowledge and craftsmanship, the Vice-Chancellor noted that sustaining handicrafts is not merely an economic necessity but a cultural imperative. “Crafts are identity. To keep them alive, we must understand markets, consumer psychology, cultural symbolism and design aesthetics. Technology helps sharpen creativity while minimising physical effort,” he said, adding that future-ready artisans must be conversant with emerging tools such as automation, digital design and artificial intelligence.
He shared his vision of transforming the DIC into a community-college-style hub for skill development, inspired by global best practices. Highlighting the advantages of computer-aided design, Director DIC, Prof. Shahid Rasool said the digital designing reduces material wastage, enhances sustainability, improves cost-effectiveness and enables artisans to experiment freely without physical loss.
He emphasised that CAD not only helps preserve endangered Kashmiri motifs but also enables the creation of new designs that appeal to contemporary tastes and global markets. Stressing the hands-on nature of the programme, he said that each participant would be required to present a tangible digital design outcome at the conclusion of the workshop.
In his address, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, appreciated the role of the DIC in promoting skill-based education aligned with national priorities. He observed that Kashmiri crafts—ranging from carpets and shawls to papier-mâché and woodwork—are deeply linked with tourism and local livelihoods and must evolve with time. Drawing parallels with global models of skill development, Dr. Mir said that digital tools such as CAD can significantly ease traditional design processes, improve quality control and enhance market competitiveness, while retaining the essence of handmade craftsmanship.
In his address, Director IICT, Mr. Zubair Ahmad Mir, lauded the DIC for initiating a timely and outcome-oriented programme aimed at empowering Kashmiri artisans through digital intervention. He said that Computer-Aided Design provides a crucial bridge between handcrafted traditions and contemporary market demands by enabling artisans to visualise, refine and customise designs before execution.
Joint Director DIC, Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, who conducted the programme proceedings, said the workshop aims to equip participants with modern digital tools to preserve, innovate and market Kashmir’s rich craft heritage in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. He added that the initiative marks a step by CUKashmir towards empowering craft communities through innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth. Coordinator, DIC, Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal proposed the vote of thanks.
