Ashraf Mir of CIE group leaves behind a legacy in global handicraft trade

Srinagar, Jul 18: In a profound loss to Kashmir’s business and cultural community, Mohammad Ashraf Mir — a prominent entrepreneur and senior figure of Cottage Industries Exposition Ltd (CIE Group) — died on July 17, 2025, in New Delhi. He passed away around 2:00 AM and was laid to rest the same morning at 8:00 AM. He was 73.

A native of Wazir Bagh, Srinagar, and long-time resident of New Delhi, Ashraf Mir was the younger brother of Abdul Rashid Mir, the visionary founder of the CIE Group.

He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. The family maintains a residence in Srinagar’s Shalimar area.

Ashraf Mir played a key role in shaping the growth and global identity of CIE Group, one of India’s largest and most reputed exporters of handmade carpets and traditional Kashmiri handicrafts.

Founded formally in 1978 by Rashid Mir, the company began as a modest showroom for Kashmiri carpets and shawls and went on to become a global name, promoting the heritage of Indian craftsmanship across four continents.

Today, the CIE Group operates over 30 high-end showrooms in major Indian cities and international locations including Dubai, London, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and New York. The company specialises in hand-knotted silk carpets, pashmina shawls, papier-mâché, walnut wood furniture, and other finely crafted products. It sources raw silk primarily from China but relies entirely on Kashmiri artisans for weaving and design.

“Ashraf Mir, known among industry insiders as the “backbone of the company,” was instrumental in running day-to-day operations. While his elder brother was the face of the brand, Ashraf worked behind the scenes to ensure that production quality, design originality, and artisan welfare remained at the heart of the business,” a close associate of CIE group said.

“He never sought the limelight but was deeply involved in every layer of the company — from loom to showroom,” said a senior CIE executive.

“He believed that the integrity of Kashmiri craftsmanship must never be compromised, no matter how large we grew.”

CIE’s signature carpets, known for their intricate knot count and traditional Persian and Kashmiri motifs, have earned the company multiple national awards for export excellence. Its clientele includes royalty, art connoisseurs, global collectors, and high-end hospitality chains. The company’s presence at international expos and fairs helped elevate Indian handicrafts as luxury art forms on the global stage.

Yet, Ashraf Mir remained rooted in Kashmiri values. He made frequent trips to Srinagar, particularly during business off-seasons, and maintained close ties with the local artisan community. He championed initiatives for skill development, fair wages, and sustainability in traditional arts, ensuring that the company did not lose sight of its origins.

A veteran from the handicrafts industry who worked closely with him described Ashraf Sahab as “a pillar of quiet leadership, who respected the dignity of every artisan and helped preserve a cultural ecosystem that goes back centuries.”

The Jummah Fateha Khwani and Eisale Sawab for Mohammad Ashraf Mir was held on Friday at 2:30 PM after Zuhr prayers at DLF Gate 3, Sultanpur Mandi Road, opposite Bikaner Sweets, New Delhi.

Tributes have poured in from across the country and beyond. The Kashmir business community expressed deep sorrow, calling him “a soft-spoken stalwart who quietly shaped one of Kashmir’s most iconic enterprises.”

Mohammad Ashraf Mir will be remembered not only as a businessman but as a custodian of tradition, a believer in ethical enterprise, and a man who helped elevate Kashmir’s art to a global platform, with humility, precision, and enduring care.