The Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board (OK&VIB) organised a convention of senior citizens here on Sunday in order to seek their cooperation for widespread use of khadi and village products in the State.
Around 50 members and office-bearers of the Federation of Senior Citizens’ Associations of Odisha (FSCAO) attended and shared their experience, expertise and vision in the convention inaugurated by OK&VIB President Tejeswar Parida.
Parida said the board has decided to urge the Government to allow an additional five-per cent rebate on sales of khadi products to senior citizens. He hoped that khadi and village industry products would, under the guardianship of the senior citizens, considerably grow and result in inclusive economic growth of artisans living in villages.
FSCAO president Krupasindhu Sahoo assured Parida that the federation would actively extend its cooperation for popularising of the products. Amongst others, OK&VIB Members Rabi labanya, Bijay Kumar Mishra and Soubhagya Rout, FSCAO general secretary Jugal Kishore Sahoo and State head of the Help Age India Rashmi Mohanty spoke on relevance of promotion of khadi & village industries in true Gandhian spirit.
The convention proposed that the OK&VIB premises be developed as unique sites of Gandhian heritage and passed a resolution that all federation members would wear khadi henceforth.