Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called for reviving village industries to fulfil the dream ofMahatma Gandhi.
The Speaker distributed 500 Bee Boxes, 500 Electric Pottery Wheels and 200 Leather Tool Kits at a function attended by Chairman KVIC VK Saxena and MLA Ashok Dogra at Kota on December 8.
Complementing the efforts of KVIC, the Speaker said, “Bapu had always dreamed of encouraging the rural talents and providing livelihood opportunities at their doorsteps. KVIC is fulfilling Bapu’s dream in its true sense. KVIC’s initiative of reviving the bee keeping, pottery and leather industry would go a long way, in helping the rural youth earn their respect and dignity.”
KVIC has been spearheading a mass campaign for the revival of bee keeping, pottery and leather industry since last two years under Honey Mission, Kumhar Sashaktikaran Mission and Leather Mission respectively.
The KVIC has distributed around 1.15 Lakh Bee boxes, 13,000 Electric Pottery Wheel, 2,500 Leather Kits across India so far, thus generating a livelihood for 17,000 bee keepers, 52,000 potters and 2,500 Leather artisans so far.
“The objective of this event is to empower the rural artisans and help them gain confidence in bee keeping, pottery and leather artistry.
Aligned with the vision of Prime Minister, our endeavour is to provide livelihood opportunities as well as alternate source of income to the rural farmers who otherwise adopt to menial labor or migrate to big towns or cities for daily wage jobs,” Saxena said.
Recently, on the request of KVIC, the Railways made Kulhad and other terracotta items compulsory in 400 railway stations to supply food articles in which 25 stations are from Rajasthan.
Commenting on the ready market available in Rajasthan, Saxena added, “KVIC is redefining the Indian Village Industries today. Where on one hand it is spreading awareness and distributing modern tools and techniques, providing advanced trainings, on the other it is working with the Government to provide marketing avenues at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries.”
The event witnessed a huge turnout of artisans from Jhalawad, Kota and Boondi Districts of Rajasthan.