by Suman Gupta
02 October 2023 : Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, Narayan Rane, inaugurated the much-anticipated ‘Khadi Mahotsav’ organized by Khadi and Village Industry today in Mumbai. The event marks a celebration of the rich heritage and entrepreneurial spirit embodied by Khadi and village industries, while also underscoring their commitment to Gandhian principles.
During his address, Minister Narayan Rane applauded the commendable work being done by Khadi and village industries, highlighting their substantial growth in recent years. He noted that in 2014-15, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) had a business turnover of 30 thousand crores, which has since surged to an impressive 1,34 thousand crores. This remarkable growth can be attributed to innovative methodologies implemented over the past nine years.
Shri Narayan Rane underscored the importance of Mumbai’s contribution to the nation’s economy, which stands at an impressive 34 percent. He expressed his desire to see Khadi and village industries play an even more significant role in shaping India’s economic future.
Reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of employment generation through Khadi, Minister Rane emphasized the need to create jobs in rural areas. He stated that Gandhi believed that the prosperity of villages would lead to the advancement of the entire country, an idea that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently championing. Shri Rane also stressed the importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s message on cleanliness, which is a cornerstone of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiated by Prime Minister Modi.
Shri Rane expressed his pride in India’s association with Mahatma Gandhi, a global role model. He commended Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to realizing Gandhiji’s vision and his aspiration for India to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2030.
The Khadi Festival, scheduled from October 2nd to October 31st, will not only showcase Khadi products but also feature ‘Vocal for Local’ exhibitions to promote indigenous products. During this period, customers can avail themselves of a 20 to 25 percent discount on Khadi products. The festival is also hosting a jingle competition for the youth and a video game competition centered around Khadi and village industry themes.
