Chief Secretary inaugurates capacity-building training for Ladakh’s textile artisans under RAMP scheme.

Chief Secretary inaugurates capacity-building training for Ladakh’s textile artisans under RAMP scheme.
Leh, September 12, 2026: The Department of Industries & Commerce today organised a capacity-building training programme under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), under Intervention No. LA-13, aimed at strengthening and enhancing Ladakh’s textile value chain and promoting value addition to traditional products. The programme was organised in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar Campus, at Zen Hotel, Leh.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief Secretary, UT of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, in the presence of Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Himanshu Gupta; Director, Industries & Commerce, Sonam Norbu; Director, NIFT Srinagar, Prof. Monika Gupta; Superintendent/Assistant Director, Handloom & Handicrafts Department, Sachin Bali, along with other officers, officials and artisans.
In his welcome address, Director, Industries & Commerce, Sonam Norbu, highlighted the importance of the RAMP scheme in strengthening MSMEs and developing Ladakh’s textile value chain. He briefed the participants about the MoU signed between the Department of Industries & Commerce and NIFT Srinagar for value addition and design development of traditional textile products. He stated that an assessment would be undertaken following the training to evaluate its impact and identify further areas of support.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts towards value addition, marketing and promotion of Ladakh’s traditional products, including the process initiated for Geographical Indication (GI) registration of 26 products/applications. He further stressed the importance of Udyam Registration for artisans and entrepreneurs to access various government schemes and benefits.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra appreciated the collaboration with NIFT Srinagar and stressed the need to establish stronger linkages between traditional artisans, designers and markets. He highlighted the potential of Ladakh’s unique textile products, particularly pashmina and wool, to gain recognition in national and international markets.
The Chief Secretary also highlighted the challenges faced by artisans in marketing and accessing wider markets and called for focused interventions to address these issues. He stressed the importance of promoting the GI registration of Ladakh’s pashmina and other traditional products, while encouraging stronger business-to-business (B2B) linkages to connect local producers with buyers, designers and established brands.
He further emphasised the need to leverage various government initiatives, including Startup Yojana and financial assistance/subsidies for business expansion and upgradation, to support artisans and entrepreneurs in scaling up their enterprises.
Chief Secretary Kundra also stressed the importance of developing a strong Ladakh showroom brand, promoting contemporary designs based on traditional craftsmanship, and creating greater visibility for Ladakh’s textile products. He suggested exploring opportunities for showcasing Ladakhi products through stalls and exhibitions associated with the Fashion Design Council in Delhi, providing artisans and local enterprises access to larger markets.
Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Himanshu Gupta, emphasised the importance of hands-on training for artisans and the need to create better marketing opportunities for Ladakh’s pashmina and wool products. He stressed the importance of improving product quality in line with changing consumer preferences and lifestyles, while ensuring that the traditional character of Ladakhi products is preserved. He stated that the programme would provide artisans with an opportunity to strengthen their skills and improve the marketability of their products.
Director, NIFT Srinagar, Prof. Monika Gupta, spoke about the rich heritage of pashmina and traditional craftsmanship in Ladakh and the scope for integrating contemporary design with traditional skills. She stated that the collaboration between NIFT Srinagar and the Department of Industries & Commerce would provide artisans with opportunities to enhance their skills, improve product design and explore new markets.
During the programme, Superintendent/Assistant Director, Handloom & Handicrafts Department, Sachin Bali, delivered a detailed presentation on various departmental schemes, toolkit distribution and the training and support being provided to artisans.
Functional Manager, Industries & Commerce, Mohd. Zakiria, briefed the participants about various schemes and support mechanisms available through the Industries & Commerce Department.
Members of the RAMP team also addressed the gathering and provided information regarding enrolment under various schemes, eligibility and other support available to participants. A presentation on the PM Vishwakarma Scheme was also made by a member of the Project Management Unit (PMU), highlighting opportunities available to traditional artisans under the scheme.
The training programme is aimed at equipping artisans with improved skills in design, product development, value addition, quality enhancement and market-oriented production, while strengthening the overall textile value chain of Ladakh.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Superintendent/Assistant Director, Handloom & Handicrafts Department, Sachin Bali on acknowledging the collaborative efforts of the concerned departments and institutions in strengthening Ladakh’s traditional textile sector and creating new opportunities for artisans through skill development, value addition and market linkages.