Charkha to provide jobs to five crore women

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh, on Monday, said that following the 'Khadi for Fashion' call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry had planned to connect at least five crore village women to Charkha (spinning wheel).

Addressing the Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations at Khadi Bhawan in Connaught Place, the minister said that Khadi has now become popular among younger generation too. "For a significant span of time Khadi was meant for either dadaji (older ones) or netaji (politicians). But, due to the initiatives and appeals made by our Prime Minister – who is himself the latest USP of Khadi –Khadi has now become a fashion trend among the youth," he said, adding, "Even the results speak. The previous governments could increase the sale by only 70 percent in 10 odd years, but we enhanced it to 90 percent."

Speaking of solar charkhas, the minister said that it would provide employment to at least five crore village women in the coming five years. "With five pilot projects at Varanasi, Nawada and other places, we are already on our heels with this project. It will ensure a regular income between Rs 6000 and Rs 10,000 to each of the women," he said. The minister claimed that in efforts to make Khadi a fashion brand across the globe, the department is in regular contact with all leading fashion institutes of the country.

Singh further added that even in Africa, as a part of centenary Year celebrations of Gandhiji's Swadeshi Movement, the High Commission of India in Uganda, in association with the Republic of Uganda, is unveiling the Gandhi Charkha – gifted by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) – at the Gandhi Heritage Site at Jinja in Uganda.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena, in his address, said that Khadi has been spreading its wings in all directions for creating maximum job opportunities for the artisans. "Since sanitation and Khadi was close to Mahatma Gandhi's heart, the KVIC is all set to take his legacy forward," he said, adding, "We have also taken Prime Minister's call of 'Sweet Revolution' very seriously and we are trying to give a major push to our 'Honey Mission' in the coming days."

Arun Kumar Panda, secretary, MSME, also laid stress upon enhancing the total turnover of Khadi and Village Industries.

Earlier, the minister inaugurated 60 Khadi outlets – which were renovated and re-launched during the completion of KVIC's 60th anniversary and a Khadi outlet at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Lucknow, through remote device.

He also handed over the cheques to five artisans each from two Khadi institutions of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, under the new sales initiatives undertaken by KVIC. Later, he inaugurated a Honey Parlour – showcasing several qualities of honey – at Palika Bazaar.