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India lives in its villages. Prosperity of India
depends on the prosperity of its villages. Gandhiji
gave the clarion call of Gram Swaraj and Antyodaya.
Gram Swaraj is village self-sufficiency through
strengthening and development of small cottage based
industries. Antyodaya is economic prosperity and
social upliftment of the people who are at the
bottom of the social and economic pyramid.
Gandhiji laid solid foundation for such initiative
by establishing All India Spinners Association in
1925 and All India Village Industries Association in
1934. The Government constituted the Khadi and
Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in 1957 to take
forward the Gandhian system of socio-economic
development of rural people through Khadi and
Village industries activities.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission in its’ over
50 years of existence has helped in a remarkable way
for the development of India particularly its rural
populace. It has covered one third villages of the
country through various programmes providing earning
avenues to millions of persons. Goods and services
worth of Rs. 17338 crore is being produced under KVI
sector and its sales-turnover stood at Rs. 22478
crore during 2008-09.
The products of KVI sector are not only acclaimed in
domestic market but also received tremendous
response abroad as well. The natural eco-friendly
products of KVI sector are most suitable for human
consumption as these are totally organic and do not
contain any harmful material. Ready-made garments,
Khadi denim and other fashion wares have become the
latest fad for the youth in the country. Designer
Khadi dresses have in the recent years overpowered
the traditional Khadi dresses.
Under village industries, unique products have been
developed under the supervision of KVIC. More
prominently the organic food items, herbal and
beauty products, trendy products of cane and bamboo
from North Eastern States, wood carving, ayurvedic
products, handmade leather products, various
handicrafts specially from Rajasthan, food items,
processed foods, products/ items developed from
fiber, honey, paper-mache and handmade paper etc.
Besides these handicrafts, tribal jewellery, lace
work, phulkari work developed from the initiative of
KVIC will definitely create good mileage for Khadi.
Through the various schemes such as Workshed Scheme
for Khadi Artisans; Enhancing Productivity and
competitiveness of khadi industry and artisans;
Strengthening Infrastructure of existing weak Khadi
Institutions and Assistance for marketing
infrastructure; Khadi will be creating greater
impact.
Efforts undertaken under SFURTI clusters have
created tremendous market responses for KVIC.
Products of “Prime Minister Employment Generation
Programme” which is popularly known as “PMEGP”, are
very fast coming up in the national scenario, with
their various village industries products across the
country.
The huge craftsmanship associated with the KVI
products and the association of large number of
stake holders has essentially created a mass
movement, transforming the spirit, passion and
energy of the people into the noble cause of
creating rural employment Opportunities for the poor
and the needy as well as for the backward and
disadvantaged section of the society.
Such economic transformation has been instrumental
in creating large number of opportunities for
thousands of first generation entrepreneurs and
enabled them not only to be gainfully employed on a
satisfactory basis but also give employment to other
people.
*Media & Communications Officer, PIB, Delhi.
PIB
Aizawl |
