General view of threads being used in a traditional carpet factory. The three-way carpet factory in Srinagar, once a thriving hub of artisanal craftsmanship, now stands as a testament to the challenges faced by traditional industries in a changing world. With only a handful of artisans remaining, including an elder statesman who embodies the fading tradition, the factory's halls echo with memories of a bygone era. The elder artisan's candid reflections reveal the stark realities of the industry's decline: a lack of interest among the younger generation, seasonal fluctuations in wages, and glaring wage disparities compared to laborers. Despite the once-proud tradition of passing down the craft to future generations, the empty spaces that once teemed with apprentices now symbolize a struggle to preserve a heritage slipping through the loom of time. (Photo by Idrees Abbas / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)