The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 4, 2024
In a significant stride towards empowering artisans and reviving traditional industries, Manoj Kumar, Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), led a transformative initiative today in Bhubaneswar. Under the Honey Mission and Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, Kumar distributed essential machinery and toolkits, including beeboxes, electric potters’ wheels, paper machines, and Sabai Grass Ban making tools, with the aim of reinforcing skills among artisans and bolstering indigenous industries.
The event, graced by the presence of Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar, garnered significant attention for its focus on driving tangible outcomes in artisan development. Sarangi commended the initiative, expressing confidence in its potential to yield positive results in the growth of artisans across the nation.
Gopinath Khadenga, Secretary of the Odisha Khadi Institutions Federation, SS Sil, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (EZ) at KVIC, and I Jawahar, State Director of KVIC, Bhubaneswar, were also present, further underscoring the importance of the initiative in revitalizing traditional crafts.
Chairman Manoj Kumar underscored the rich cultural heritage of Odisha, renowned for its intricate weaving techniques and vibrant textiles. He emphasized KVIC’s commitment to leveraging regional opportunities for the benefit of artisans, citing the remarkable increase in wages of artisans by more than 233 per cent over the past nine years as evidence of the sector’s economic vitality.
Highlighting the unwavering support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumar praised the transformative impact of the ‘New Khadi of New India’ initiative, which has propelled Khadi products to global recognition. He credited the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns for elevating Khadi on the global stage and fostering self-reliance among artisans.
Kumar lauded the success of the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana in equipping artisans with training and tools across various domains, resulting in over 6,700 unemployed youth undergoing skill development training and generating self-employment opportunities in traditional industries.
Under the Village Industries Development Scheme, KVIC has distributed electric wheels to more than 27000 potters, significantly improving their livelihoods. The Honey Mission Scheme has also made a substantial impact, distributing over 2 lakh honey bee-boxes and bee colonies to 20,000 beneficiaries, further bolstering rural economies.
Speaking on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Kumar highlighted its role in establishing approximately 30,071 new industries and generating around 244,923 new jobs over the last decade in Odisha. Notably, a significant proportion of these entrepreneurs comprises women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, contributing to the socio-economic development of the state.
Chairman Kumar reaffirmed KVIC’s steadfast support for the Khadi sector in Odisha, with over 5,000 artisans supported through more than 60 Khadi Institutions under the Khadi Vikas Yojana. Financial assistance and infrastructural support amounting to approximately Rs. 36 crore have been provided in the last decade to bolster this sector.
In conclusion, Kumar highlighted the establishment of seven clusters under the SFURTI scheme, encompassing various crafts such as Bamboo, Brass, Bell Metal, and Non-timber forest products, showcasing KVIC’s holistic approach towards fostering traditional industries and preserving cultural heritage.
The event, attended by senior officials of KVIC and other dignitaries, marked a significant milestone in empowering artisans and revitalizing traditional industries in Odisha.
