Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the sacred land of Siwani has today become a symbol of self-reliance, dignity, employment, and prosperity. He said that through the Khadi Rozgar Utsav, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vocal for Local” and “Viksit Bharat 2047” is being translated into reality on the ground.
The Chief Minister was addressing the Khadi Rozgar Utsav programme held in Siwani as the Chief Guest on Wednesday. He said that Khadi has, since the freedom movement, symbolized the labour, dignity, and self-respect of millions of Indians. During the independence struggle, Khadi became the emblem of the Swadeshi movement and shook the economic foundations of British rule without the use of weapons.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the nation the mantra of “Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion, and Khadi for Transformation.” The Khadi Rozgar Utsav at Siwani is a powerful initiative aimed at translating this vision into action.
During the programme, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini personally interacted with beneficiaries from different districts of Haryana and distributed machines and toolkits. He distributed footwear manufacturing machines to Neha, Anjali and Ritu from Sonipat district, and Sudesh and Pinki from Rohtak.
Similarly, sewing machines were distributed to Sadhana, Gunjan Sharma, Monika, Jyoti and Neelam from Rohtak, while Rajesh Devi, Usha Rani, Chakli Devi and Pramila from Jhumpa village in Bhiwani district received charkhas.Equipment for honey production was distributed to Kuldeep Singh, Bhim Singh, Rajendra Kumar, Pawan Kumar and Kulwant from Fatehabad, and Munish from Kurukshetra.
On the occasion, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Manoj Goel honoured the Chief Minister by presenting him with a traditional turban, a khadi shawl, and a memento in the form of a charkha. The Chief Minister also distributed 2,350 bee boxes for beekeeping by pressing the launch button online during the programme.
972 Artisans Receive 3,645 Machines and Toolkits
The Chief Minister said that under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, a total of 972 artisans in Haryana have been provided with 3,645 machines and toolkits, including electric potter’s wheels, bee boxes and bee colonies, sewing machines, turnwood toolkits, footwear manufacturing machines, charkhas, and dona-pattal making machines.
“These are not merely machines; they are instruments that will help realize the dreams of thousands of families and lay the foundation for a new economic revolution in villages,” he said.He further informed that under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), margin money subsidy amounting to ₹504.68 crore has been provided to youth and traditional artisans establishing micro-enterprises in rural and urban areas.
This assistance will pave the way for thousands of new enterprises, industries, and employment opportunities.“This support reflects the government’s confidence in the aspirations of our youth and its commitment to empowering those who wish to work hard, progress, and contribute to nation-building,” he said.
Khadi Sector Witnesses Historic Growth in the Last 12 Years
The Chief Minister noted that the birth anniversary of the great warrior Maharana Pratap was also being celebrated on the day and extended his greetings to all citizens.Highlighting the transformation in the Khadi and Village Industries sector over the past 12 years, he said that total turnover, which stood at around ₹31,000 crore in 2013-14, has increased to ₹1.87 lakh crore today.
Production has increased fivefold, crossing ₹1.25 lakh crore, resulting in higher incomes for millions of families and strengthening rural economies. Over the last 12 years, nearly two crore employment opportunities have been generated across the country through Khadi and village industries.
He further stated that the remuneration of Khadi artisans has increased fourfold. Notably, 80 percent of artisans associated with the Khadi sector are women, making this transformation a significant milestone in women’s empowerment.“When a woman becomes self-reliant, the entire family, society, and nation move forward,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the government is actively promoting Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and facilitating the marketing of their products in local markets as well as through e-commerce platforms across India and abroad.
Haryana Advancing Towards a Self-Reliant Rural Economy
The Chief Minister said Haryana has always been a land of hard work, entrepreneurship, and self-respect. Farmers here produce food for the nation, soldiers defend its borders, and artisans contribute through their creativity and skills.
He informed that through 96 active Khadi and Village Industries institutions, nearly 58,796 artisans are employed in Haryana. In addition, more than 1.27 lakh people have received employment under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana.So far, 5,533 machines and toolkits have been distributed under the scheme, demonstrating Haryana’s rapid progress toward building a self-reliant rural economy.
Under PMEGP, 18,683 new units have been established in Haryana during the last 12 years, supported by nearly ₹638 crore in margin money subsidy. These initiatives have generated over 1.5 lakh new jobs, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of Haryana’s youth and business community.
National-Level Handloom Training Institute to Be Established in Panipat
The Chief Minister announced that during the current financial year, a National-Level Handloom Training Institute will be established on 10 acres of land in Panipat to promote the handloom sector.He also announced that a modern Gram Haat will be set up in every block for marketing products made by Self-Help Groups.Under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, more than 20,000 rural youth will be provided skill training and connected with employment and self-employment opportunities.
Employment Opportunities Must Reach Villages
The Chief Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is today viewed with renewed confidence and hope across the world and has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy.He emphasized that the dream of a developed India cannot be realized without the development of villages.
Therefore, the double-engine government is continuously working for the welfare of villages, the poor, farmers, youth, and women.“Our goal is to create employment opportunities within villages so that young people are not forced to migrate in search of jobs. We aim to develop a strong network of skill development, self-employment, and small industries in every village,” he said.
Khadi Holds Immense Potential for the Future
The Chief Minister said that when a young person receives bee boxes for beekeeping, when a woman starts her own enterprise with a sewing machine, or when an artisan increases productivity with modern tools, it is not just an individual who progresses—the entire family, village, and state move forward together.
He noted that Khadi and village industries offer immense opportunities in today’s world, especially as the younger generation is increasingly conscious about environmental sustainability.There can be no better eco-friendly alternative than Khadi,” he said.
Calling upon Haryana’s educated, talented, and technologically skilled youth, he urged them to bring innovative ideas to the Khadi and village industries sector, particularly in modern design, attractive packaging, branding, and digital marketing.“If you have the passion to innovate, success will certainly follow. The government remains fully committed to providing all possible financial, administrative, and technical support,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister said that the Khadi Rozgar Utsav is proof that when public welfare-oriented policies, visionary leadership, and the hard work of citizens come together, no force can stop the pace of development.
He called upon citizens to adopt Khadi, promote Swadeshi products, support local manufacturing, participate in employment generation initiatives, and contribute towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Among those present on the occasion were Member of Parliament Dharambir Singh, MLAs Kapoor Valmiki, Randhir Panihar and Kanwar Singh Yadav, Khadi Board Chairman Manoj Goel, J. Sarwan, former Minister J.P. Dalal, District President Virender Kaushik, Siwani Municipal Chairperson Vandana Kedia, and other distinguished dignitaries.