4th edition of Khadi Mela starts at Madhyamgram

Kolkata: The fourth edition of the North 24-Parganas zonal level Khadi Mela started at Madhyamgram Subhas Maidan on November 22

and would continue till December 4, where artisans from various districts have put up their stalls.

The programme was inaugurated by Madhyamgram MLA Rathin Ghosh, and Gouri Shankar Dutta, chairman of the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board (WBKVIB), in presence of Bina Mondal, North 24-Parganas Zilla sabhadhipati and district magistrate Chaitali Chakraborty.

The Khadi Mela is thrown open for visitors at 2 pm and continues till 8 pm every day. It has already become very popular and is registering huge footfall on a daily basis.

Apart from North 24-Parganas, the artisans and various self-help groups from the districts like Nadia, Murshidabad and others have erected their stalls showcasing their handicraft items.

After coming to power, the Mamata Banerjee government had laid enormous emphasis on the promotion of khadi and traditional handicrafts of the state and started various schemes to boost the artisans economically.

The mela is primarily organised to give a platform to various artisans across Bengal. The state government has also encouraged taant weavers to weave khadi side-by-side, to augment their income.

It may be mentioned here that the muslin khadi industry has thrived in the districts of Mushidabad, Malda, Nadia and Burdwan and it has become a means of livelihood for thousands of people. The WBKVIB had also taken up several programmes to support the artisans, mainly women, involved in khadi production.

After seeing the success in project muslin, WBKVIB has taken up a project for the development of cotton khadi in the state in 14 districts.

One of the main objectives of the programme is to train the artisans in the villages. WBKVIB will also provide necessary infrastructure and a platform for marketing various products.

The programme has also been organised in parts of Bankura, Hooghly and Purulia. The state government

has also identified Udaynarayanpur in Howrah as a prospective area to develop the khadi industry.