DW BUREAU / PATIALA Womens' Studies Centre, Punjabi University undertook a project sponsored by Centre for Women Development, New Delhi, on the very pertinent and challenging issue of 'Phulkari : Reviving and Sustaining the Traditional Handicraft of Punjab'. The Centre today organised the Project Report releasing ceremony. The event was presided over by Prof. Arvind, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University. The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the Women Studies Center for completing the project and making a documentary with the collaboration of various departments. . Under the patronage of the Vice-Chancellor, the project was completed by the Director of the Centre Prof. Ritu Lehal and her able team including Dr. Herpreet Kaur, Dr. Naina, and Dr. Herpreet Kohli jointly with Dr. Gurupdesh Kaur, PAU Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Patiala. Four Phulkari training centres at Thuha, Sheikhpura, Sular and Rorgarh villages of Patiala district were chosen for this project. Special thanks had been extended to Harjeet Kaur, Centre Incharge for her valuable inputs describing the real issues and problems faced by these artisans. The project findings have not only highlighted the fact that such an intrinsic art is moving towards extinction but also brought to the fore the pathetic economic conditions of the rural poor women artisans. These women are the custodian of such valuable heritage but due to high cost of raw material, involvement of middlemen and lack of connectivity between them and the clientele are playing the culprit which needs to be curbed. For ensuring the survival and sustenance of Phulkari, artisans must be motivated and promoted by the Central and State level governments in both financial terms as well as through strengthening the requisite infrastructure. Such rigorous measures and support on the part of the government will not only achieve the aim of women's economic empowerment, social dignity but also the goal of vocal for local. (editor@dailyworld.in)