Srinagar, May 27 (KNN) During his recent visit to Kashmir, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant paid rich tributes to the region's skilled artisans, praising their ability to "transform the ordinary into the extraordinary" through intricate embroidery, wood carvings, paper mache, and other handicrafts.

Kant, who toured craft centres and interacted directly with artisans, said watching them at work was "a lesson in patience, precision, and passion." He described their creations as "testaments to generations of skill and dedication."

The G20 Sherpa also met with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and proposed hosting a major summit of top startups to amplify the startup movement in what he termed the "Valley of Hope" for new enterprises.

In addition to handicrafts, Kant explored promoting Kashmir for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) tourism and destination weddings to boost the region's appeal.

He engaged with top officials on integrated development of tourism, skills, employment and allied sectors.

"From stone-throwing, hartals and violence to peace, progress and prosperity, there has been a radical transformation on ground in Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Kashmir valley, post abrogation of Article 370," Kant remarked, citing the high voter turnout in recent parliamentary elections as a sign of "restored faith in democracy."

Artisans like Mujtaba Qadri, who hosted Kant at his craft centre, expressed hope that the visit would lead to increased support for preserving Kashmir's rich heritage of handicrafts amid a rapidly changing world.

(KNN Bureau)