Khadi turns 100 Delhi leather artisans into leather doctors

Acting on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khadi has derived a novel way to give recognition to the people from the marginalised shoe-making community popularly known as Mochi, it seems. In this first of its kind initiative, the Khadi has re-christened them as 'Charm Chikitsak'.

(Leather Doctors) at the training program at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the Gandhi Darshan premises Delhi on August 21.

When KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena addressed the inaugural session of 100 leather artisan trainees as 'Charm-Chikitsak', some shoe-makers broke into tears. For 60 years old Ramsevak, it was simply unpalatable. "We are getting a sense of recognition and security with this, what we have never dreamt of," he said.

Saxena, in his address, said that KVIC have always shown its commitment to uplift the social and economic status of the marginalised communities. "After the overwhelming success in Kumhar Sashaktikaran Scheme, we planned to launch this Leather Artisans Development Scheme, in which small time shoe-makers, mostly sitting on footpaths would first be given proper training and then will be given a modern Shoe-tools Kit worth Rs 5,000, which will be equipped with all necessary articles needed to cure and beautify the shoes," he said.

He further informed that earlier this month, 50 artisans of Sirohi district in Rajasthan had been given training with the Shoe- tool Kits.