Srinagar, Oct 15, Oct. 16 -- Master artisan Rafiq Ahmed Sofi of Eidgah Srinagar, has been conferred the National Award 2025 in the Hand-Knotted Carpet category by the union Ministry of Textiles. Sofi is the sole awardee from Jammu & Kashmir in this category for 2025, winning it for a carpet that features intricate floral motifs, traditional architectural patterns and calligraphic elements.A formal award ceremony is scheduled in December in which amongst other winners, Sofi shall also be felicitated.Kashmir's hand-knotted carpets represent a centuries-old tradition that combines fine knotting techniques with distinctive design elements and taleem, for which it was awarded GI registration in the year 2016, based on its source of origin.Dire...