Himachal offers discounts on woolens, handicraft items

SHIMLA - To spread the Himachali warmth during this festive season, the Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation is offering discounts on woollens and handicraft items.

“From hand-knitted woollens like shawls, stoles, mufflers, socks, gloves, pullovers and caps, to Kangra paintings and Chamba rumal (handkerchief) to Chamba chappals (slippers) and jewellery items - all could be purchased at discounted rates,” Lalit Mohan, managing director of the state-run corporation, told IANS.

He said keeping in view the Diwali celebrations next week the corporation has decided to give a special discount up to 20 percent on almost all the items.

Mohan said Chamba ‘rumal and shawls are much sought after by the multinational companies for their clients.

The price of Chamba rumal varies from Rs.500 to Rs.3,000 depending upon the embroidery, whereas a hand-knitted shawl costs from Rs.300 to Rs.30,000, he added.

He said the Kangra tea, wild honey, body oil like wild apricot, ratanjot hair oil and various toiletries are much in demand this season for gifting.

Likewise, the shawls and caps with intricate borders in bright colours made on traditional looms by tribals of Kinnaur are in demand not only within the country but also abroad.

The Chamba rumal can be used to wrap gifts as was prevalent in the past on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, fairs and festivals.

Wrapping gifts in Chamba rumal was predominant especially among the royal families. During a wedding, the specially embroidered handkerchiefs would be exchanged between parents of the bride and the bridegroom.

Mohan said the buyers could also purchase more than 1,000 products through e-shopping.

The corporation is also operating 15 sales outlets, including one each in Bangalore and Delhi, where all products are on display.

The state government has got the Kinnauri shawl, Chamba handkerchief, the Kullu shawl and Kangra tea registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, by the Chennai-based Geographical Indications Registry.

The registration of these items under the GI Act would help the artisans, producers and others in marketing their original products around the world.

The GI registration is a community patent in which instead of an individual, the entire community of artisans, producers and other stakeholders of a particular area are benefited.