TRANSFORMATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BAMBOO FURNITURE MAKING AT COMMON FACILITY CENTRE(CFC) SALLAN KATHUA Location: Common Facility Centre Sallan Kathua Date: 13-02-2024 Mr. Suraj Parkash Rukwal, Director Handicrafts and Handloom Jammu, spearheaded a transformative 1-month training programme in Bamboo furniture making at the Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Sallan, Kathua, on February 13, 2024. This initiative, sponsored by the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts Jammu and organised by North East Cane Bamboo Development Council, Assam (NECBDC), aims to empower 25 artisans from Kathua district with essential skills in Bamboo craftsmanship.The event also included an insightful inspection of the Common Facility Centre, poised to emerge as a Centre of Excellence in Bamboo Craft in near future. In addition to the inspection, the delegation also visited the sale outlet of Handloom and handicrafts in Hiranagar, Kathua, underlining the importance of promoting and showcasing locally made products.During the event, Director Handloom & Handicrafts felicitated numerous artisans by presenting them with bamboo tool kits. He also shed light on various departmental schemes, aiming to raise awareness and provide support to artisans. The Department's persistent efforts have been instrumental in establishing the Common Facility Centre for Bamboo at Sallan and the CFC for Agarbati at Bilawar. Both facilities are nearing completion and are set to be operational soon, promising a significant boost to the handicraft sector in the district. Accompanying Mr. Rukwal were key officials including Joint Director Handicrafts, Tilak Raj Thapa; Deputy Director Planning, Mega Boiga and AD handicrafts Kathua, Pardeep Shan