Srinagar, July 11: Kadri Mujtaba, a distinguished craft revivalist from Kashmir and founder of the luxury pashmina brand, Me&K, has received a prestigious invitation to the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.
A statement issued here said that he will be participating in a roundtable discussion on ‘Gender Inclusivity in the UK-India Trade and Investment Relationship’, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 12.
The roundtable event is being organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on India (Trade & Investment) in collaboration with Kings College London. The APPG on India Trade and Investment is a cross-party group consisting of Members of both houses, including Peers from the House of Lords and MPs from the House of Commons. This interest group holds a crucial and influential position within the UK Parliament, the statement said.
It said that the primary objective of the APPG is to foster trade and investment between India and the UK, with the aim of benefiting the citizens of both nations and nurturing a strong and inclusive relationship.
This roundtable discussion forms part of the comprehensive project titled “Enablers and Obstacles to UK-India Trade.” The project, funded by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) and ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research), spans three years and involves collaborative efforts from academics at King’s College London, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and the non-academic partner, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UK).
“Kadri Mujtaba’s participation in this roundtable discussion adds a unique perspective, leveraging his expertise as a craft revivalist in Kashmir and through his work in promoting women’s empowerment by encouraging more women back to the shawl industry, through the promotion of hand-spinning. His valuable insights will contribute to the dialogue on inclusive trade and gender considerations, strengthening the ties between India and the UK.”
Kadri Mujtaba is a highly regarded craft revivalist based in Kashmir. He is renowned for his efforts in preserving and promoting traditional crafts, especially hand-spinning, which hold immense cultural and economic significance. Through his work, Mujtaba has been instrumental in reviving age-old techniques and empowering local artisans.