New Delhi: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Sweet Revolution', the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Thursday distributesd around 200 bee-boxes among the 50 SC/ST families of Morang village in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh under its ambitious 'Honey Mission' project.
Morang, at a height of 6,000 feet from the sea-level, is believed to be one of the remotest villages in Himachal Pradesh, with limited resources of transportation amenities.
While distributing the bee-boxes, the KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said that a sizeable amount of Rs 6 crore had also been earmarked keeping in mind a target for training 1500 persons for bee-keeping and supply of 1.5 lakh modern bee-boxes (bee hives) with live bee colonies in 21 states.
"KVIC stands focused to realize each one of them so that the coming generations of our nation enjoy a sweet Indian dream which right now lies in each one of ours' eyes. This initiative from KVIC will certainly increase the yield as well as quality of horticulture and floriculture in and around this area – which is famous for producing the best qualities of apple and chilgoza in the world," he said, adding, "An innovative scheme like Beekeeping would surely bring a new light to the stage; what is required now is a barrage of cohesive and innovative action plan, with a motive to implement them at the earliest."
Corroborating similar views, KVIC Member (North Zone) Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, said that it was a matter of pride and pleasure to witness Commission's programme in a remotest hilly hamlet.
"KVIC firmly believes in inclusive growth of the ruralfolk and in times when sustainable development and job creation have become the buzzwords of the hour, what better than Beekeeping can be an enterprise which is a low investment and low input business mechanism generating direct income for the participating members. Not only it would open the floodgates of self-sustenance in the rural economy but it would also end up creating a wholesome ecological balance," she said.
Priteshwari Devi, District Board Chairman of Kinnaur said that she was enthralled to see the rays of hopes in the eyes of beneficiaries. "KVIC's novel mission has inspired us to implement development schemes for the villagers in this area," she said.
Member zonal committee (NZ) Rakesh Thakur, Surat Singh, the State chief of SC/ST Morcha (Himachal Pradesh), Shiv Mohan Singh Saini, ADM Kinnaur and SC Negi, GM.
District Industries Center were also present on this occasion.