Vinod Kumar
The Newz Radar
Chamba : Chamba’s rich tradition of handicrafts once again garnered national recognition as artisan Gulshan Chandra was honored by the Prime Minister. The award ceremony took place on PM Vishwakarma Day in Gaya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Gulshan Chandra with the prestigious PM Vishwakarma certificate.
Gulshan Chandra had dedicated 25 years of his life to crafting Chamba slippers, a remarkable art form involving handcrafted leather footwear. It fell under the category of leathercraft and held a prominent place in Chamba’s artistic heritage. Mention Chamba, and it was inevitable that Chamba slippers and Chamba handkerchiefs were the first things that came to mind. To modernize and promote Chamba slippers in today’s market, the Chamba district administration had even secured a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for them.
This recognition meant that Chamba slippers had gained prominence in the global market, enhancing their prospects.
The Prime Minister’s recognition of an artist associated with this craft had signified a promising future for this art form. Deputy Commissioner Chamba, Apoorva Devgan, had emphasized the administration’s ongoing commitment to provide a platform for Chamba’s folk arts and safeguard the interests of the artists involved. Chamba was renowned worldwide for its folk arts, and Chamba slippers were a treasured part of this legacy. Every year, tourists from across India and abroad had flocked to Chamba, and Chamba slippers had been a must-buy souvenir.
The Prime Minister’s recognition of Gulshan Chandra had been a source of pride not only for Chamba district but for all of Himachal Pradesh. The district administration had aimed to connect folk arts with self-employment, creating new job opportunities through these heritage arts and involving the younger generation in preserving this cultural legacy.
