ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):Begum Samina Arif Alvi Tuesday stressed on preserving unique arts and crafts of the country and called for facilitation of women artisans to ensure their economic empowerment. She was speaking at the launch of the book “Embroidering Dreams” by the Behbud Association, here.
She expressed pleasure at the launch of the book saying the book was published with mind and spirit by the Behbud Association of Pakistan.
She said, “I have known of Behbud’s work over the past several years and recently at close quarters I find that in our country it takes a lead in the economic empowerment of women, running the largest Industrial home for home-based workers. “
Behbud had played a big role in the preservation of our arts and crafts, focusing on the art of traditional embroidery and that was what this book “Embroidering Dreams” was all about, she added.
Begum Samina said the book focused on 11 various native crafts of needlework, and also documented and archived the stories of the volunteers and the craftswomen working for Behbud who were not less than national heroes.
“It is great pleasure to see some of these craftswomen sitting here today. They will see for themselves how their work is honored. I believe we should preserve our arts and crafts as it is a very unique thing and as time passes, it seems, we will hardly find hand embroidery.”
“The lady volunteers of Behbud are to be admired. They have worked selflessly for many years under the leadership of the founder,
Begum Akhtar Riazuddin and now under the able and tireless lady, Abida Malik. “
President Behbud Association Abida Malik had brought improvements and innovations in the products and extensions.
“Their major achievement is that they have made Behbud a self-sustaining, non-profit organization, not relying on foreign or national funding.”
She noted that in Pakistan “Silai and Karahi” was one of the best profession as a source of earning for less educated women.
” I am happy to see that Behbud has brought a remarkable change in the profession of crafts and embroidery, turning the “Silai Karahi” profession into a large sustainable and profitable profession, with full dignity of the worker.”
No doubt that an empowered and fearless woman could play her role to build up the economy of Pakistan, she remarked adding Behbud was already playing a big role in this respect.
Begum Samina said the time had now come for these skilled women to sell their products abroad.
” Hand crafted and embroidered clothes have a big potential in foreign markets. You can hold exhibitions abroad for promotion of Pakistani crafts, so that national income may grow and your share in strengthening the country’s economy may increase.”
She said like the rest of world Pakistan was badly affected by Covid-19, but our response was remarkable.
The government quickly implemented the EHSAAS Emergency Programme, where initially 12 million families were provided with a stipend, she observed.
“It has later been extended to reach almost half the population of Pakistan. Then there is the Kamyab Jawan Programme for the youth, provision for free food, loans to start businesses, health cards and house building loans.”
She suggested that Behbud could create awareness about these innovations amongst its workers so that they could avail themselves of the benefits offered.
She asked Behbud to create awareness about female loans that all banks were providing especially the First Woman Bank.
Begum Alvi said she gave this book to Turkish President’s wife Mrs Emine Erdogan who really appreciated it and wanted a Pakistan and Turkey exchange program on hand embroidery.
“It is a valuable addition to the coffee tables of your homes. It should also be placed in all our Foreign Missions, as there are few books depicting the handmade splendor of Pakistan.”
She congratulated the author and the whole team who took part in the preparation of this beautiful book. ” We have to work together for our country and its progress in whatever capacity we are placed in,” she added.
