On World Youth Skills Day, the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, flagged off the first batch of Namda Art products for export. This initiative is part of the Namda Project, implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

• Under the Namda Project, nearly 2,200 candidates from six districts of Kashmir, namely Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam, and Anantnag, have received training in the art of Namda craft.
• This project represents a significant milestone in preserving the endangered craft and empowering local weavers and artisans. 
• Namda craft involves creating rugs using sheep wool. 
• Unlike the traditional weaving process, the felting technique is employed to produce these intricate rugs.
• However, the export of Namda craft had experienced a decline of almost 100 percent between 1998 and 2008 due to various challenges such as the low availability of raw materials, lack of skilled manpower, and limited marketing techniques. 

Public-Private Partnership for Skill Development 

The Namda Project showcases the successful implementation of a public-private partnership (PPP) model in skill development. Local industry partners, including Mir Handicrafts and Srinagar Carpet Training and Market Centre, collaborated with the government to train individuals in the art of Namda craft. This partnership highlights the collective effort to revive the craft and attract investments for economic development in the region.