Kashmir's Vaghu mat artisans thank PM Modi for Mann Ki Baat spotlight
Synopsis
A father-daughter duo from Srinagar spent years reviving a near-forgotten Kashmiri craft made from reeds and paddy straw — and PM Modi just named them on national radio. The Mann Ki Baat mention has given the Vaghu mat its widest audience yet, but the real question is whether cultural spotlight converts to commercial survival for Kashmir's artisans.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi highlighted the Vaghu mat revival in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July .
Srinagar artisans Ghulam Hussain and his daughter Tanzila Hussain were specifically commended for spearheading the craft's revival.
The Vaghu mat is hand-woven from reeds and paddy straw ; two artisans take approximately four days to complete one mat.
The craft had seen declining use in Kashmiri households in recent years before the revival effort began.
Modi linked the Vaghu push to his 'Vocal for Local' campaign, urging citizens nationwide to adopt the eco-friendly mat.
Kashmiri artisans weaving the centuries-old Vaghu mat have expressed heartfelt gratitude after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the craft's revival in the 136th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on 26 July, calling it a unique eco-friendly cultural symbol of the Kashmir Valley. For many of these craftspeople, the national recognition was beyond anything they had anticipated.
Artisans React to National Recognition
Kashmiri artisan Tanzila Hussain, who has practised the Vaghu craft for the past two to three years, said she was moved by the Prime Minister's mention. 'First of all, I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for considering us worthy of being mentioned in his Mann Ki Baat programme. I have been practising this craft for the past two to three years, while my elders have been associated with it for much longer,' she said.
Her father, artisan Ghulam Hussain, echoed the sentiment. 'I am very happy today. I never imagined that our work would receive such recognition. Our family has been associated with the Vaghu craft for generations, and we have worked hard to preserve this traditional art despite many challenges,' he said.
What PM Modi Said About Vaghu
Addressing the nation on Mann Ki Baat, Modi described the Vaghu mat as a craft rooted in Kashmir's marshy landscape. 'When one possesses both talent and the passion to achieve something, every path becomes easy. A glimpse of that is evident in the efforts currently being made regarding Kashmir's traditional Vaghu mat,' he said.
The Prime Minister explained that the mat is made from reeds and paddy straw harvested from Kashmir's wetlands. The raw material is sun-dried, sorted, and then hand-woven — a process that takes approximately four days for two artisans to complete a single mat. He noted that the Vaghu mat provides coolness in summer and warmth in winter, though its use had declined in recent years.
The Father-Daughter Revival Story
Modi specifically commended Ghulam Hussain of Srinagar and his daughter Tanzila for spearheading the craft's revival. 'Both dedicated themselves to reviving the tradition of the Vaghu craft. Ghulam Hussain ji comes from a very humble background. He faced numerous challenges in this endeavour. However, his resolve to preserve Vaghu remained unflinching. And within no time, many people began joining this initiative,' the Prime Minister said.
Modi added that Hussain had 'significantly advanced this craft' and received support from local government authorities in the process.
Vocal for Local Push
The Prime Minister connected the Vaghu revival to his broader 'Vocal for Local' campaign, urging citizens across the country to consider making the Kashmiri mat a part of their homes. 'Today, Vaghu is rapidly gaining popularity and reaching other parts of the country. I am immensely proud of everyone associated with this effort,' he said.
The spotlight on Vaghu comes at a time when traditional Indian crafts are increasingly being positioned as sustainable alternatives, with government schemes and artisan outreach programmes gaining momentum. Whether this Mann Ki Baat mention translates into sustained market demand will be the real test for the Hussain family and the wider artisan community in Srinagar.
Point of View
But the follow-through rarely matches the moment. The Vaghu story is compelling — a humble Srinagar family reviving a wetland craft against the odds — yet without structured market linkages or e-commerce integration, the spotlight risks fading as quickly as it arrived. The 'Vocal for Local' framing also papers over a structural gap: artisans like the Hussains need buyers, not just admirers. The government's local support is acknowledged, but its scale and continuity remain unspecified — a detail that matters far more to the craft's survival than a radio mention.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vaghu mat and why is it significant?
The Vaghu mat is a centuries-old Kashmiri craft hand-woven from reeds and paddy straw harvested from the Valley's marshy regions. It is eco-friendly, provides coolness in summer and warmth in winter, and was once a fixture in nearly every Kashmiri household before its use declined in recent years.
Why did PM Modi mention Vaghu in Mann Ki Baat?
PM Modi highlighted the Vaghu mat in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July to commend the revival efforts of Srinagar artisan Ghulam Hussain and his daughter Tanzila, and to promote the craft as part of his 'Vocal for Local' campaign.
Who are Ghulam Hussain and Tanzila Hussain?
Ghulam Hussain is a Srinagar-based artisan from a humble background whose family has practised the Vaghu craft for generations. His daughter Tanzila has been weaving Vaghu mats for two to three years. Together, they are credited with spearheading the craft's revival, attracting community participation and local government support.
How long does it take to make a Vaghu mat?
According to PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat address, it takes approximately four days for two artisans to complete a single Vaghu mat, from sun-drying and sorting the raw reeds and paddy straw to completing the hand-weaving process.
What is the 'Vocal for Local' connection to Vaghu?
PM Modi used the Vaghu revival as an example of his 'Vocal for Local' initiative, which encourages Indians to prefer domestically made products. He urged citizens across the country to consider bringing a Vaghu mat into their homes, framing the craft as both a cultural and sustainable consumer choice.
