The carpet industry of Kashmir occupies an important place in handicrafts. The carpet Industry plays a significant role in the economic development of the rural areas. Carpet weaving in Kashmir is largely practiced in the informal sector. It contributes significantly by providing employment opportunities to the rural people in Kashmir. The present paper attempts to make an in depth study of socio-economic conditions, problems and challenges of carpet weavers in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. The study is based on both, primary and secondary data sources. The primary data is gathered through interview schedule. The study revealed that the situation of carpet weavers is not satisfactory due to low education level, health issues, low wages, lack of government support and exploitation by the middleman/master weaver.
Summary
We conducted this study to examine the nature of treatment-seeking behavior among carpet weavers in Kashmir. We used a grounded theory approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 35 research participants recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling techniques. Based on the primary data, our study reveals that carpet weavers approached different agencies and used multiple methods for seeking treatment for their illness(es). The majority of the participants relied on spiritual healers, followed by traditional methods, Unani treatment, compounders and self-medication, while modern medicine was the last option for seeking treatment. We also found that participants base their choices about when and where to seek treatment on multiple socio-economic and cultural factors like financial constraints, perception towards illness, no provision for leave, costly and lengthy medical treatment, side effects of modern medicine, the nature of the disease, lack of infrastructure and insecurity due to conflict. These findings are relevant to employers and various government as well as non-government organizations. Additional implications of these findings for carpet weavers, public health, for practice and research are also discussed.
In terms of marriage, an individual becomes excluded or attains a disadvantaged position when she/he deviates from the existing norms of society. In this sense, generally, three types of marriages become contentious: (a) widow remarriage, (b) inter-caste marriages and (c) runaway marriages. These types of marriages are treated as deviance from society’s normative guidelines, and such couples are vulnerable to various levels of exclusion and stigma. Against this backdrop, the present study was undertaken to explore the hardships of nine runaway couples (18 participants). The selection of participants was made through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The findings revealed that most runaway couples face extreme relationship breakdown, exclusion and stigma, along with a lack of basic amenities, including housing, household amenities, medical care and ownership rights. They mainly reside in the rented buildings and have achieved an outcast’s status even in Muslim-dominated society. Caste, economic background and social status barriers were three significant forces resulting in elopement that reinforce exclusion and violence against runaway couples.
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