On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, Wednesday, J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board organised a 7-day State Level Exhibition-cum-sale of local products at Sangarmall City Centre here. The Exhibition was inaugurated by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah. State Director, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, GoI, Mr Baldari Singh presided over the function which was attended by officers of Industries sector, Khadi Institutions, entrepreneurs and artisans besides large number of people.Various products including Kashmiri Namdas, Gabbas, Pashmina and Kani Shawls, Carpets, wood furniture and carving items, Paper-machie items, Brass and Copper Utensils, Honey and Fruit Jams and other products are available on special discounts for sale spread over 40 Stalls set up in the exhibition.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi presented Khadi and Village Industries as a symbol of Nationalism, equality and self-reliance, adding that besides struggling for the political freedom, Gandhiji throughout his life also championed the cause of social and economic freedom of the people by encouraging self-reliance and supporting the cause of local Khadi and Cottage Industries. His Swadeshi movement highlighted the significance of self-reliance and economic freedom and his legacy has continued to inspire us to support and encourage our artisans and local small scale industries, through many Governments sponsored flagship programmes and schemes.
Calling youth to actively participate and contribute in industrial and self-employment activities, the Minister said that the schemes launched by the government for empowering artisans and unemployed youth has helped in establishment of hundreds of units, thereby providing employment to thousands of unemployed youth. He asked the young entrepreneurs and unit holders to look for more and more avenues to expand their units further and look for perse market opportunities outside also.Saifullah also appreciated the Youth who have availed the benefits of Government Schemes and contributed positively in not only their own self-reliance but also generating employment avenues for scores of other young people. He stressed on roping in more and more youth in the self-employment movement and asked the concerned department to reach out to the deserving youth and vigorously campaign in spreading awareness about the financial, technical and marketing support they can get by registering themselves for different Government programmes and schemes.
“Our artisans noted world over for their splendid art and crafts, need to be supported and their products promoted in an immensely competitive national and international market” Saifullah said emphasising on the need to extend technical and technological help to the local industry to ensure that products are able to compete and gain market.Chief Executive Officer KVIB, Mr. Mir Afroz who also spoke on the occasion threw light on the working of the board and said that as many as 5357 units have been provided subsidy of Rs. 63.95 crore under the Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme to empower artisans. The programme launched since 2008-09 has helped in generating employment avenues for as many as 37825 youth.
On the occasion, as many as 11 young entrepreneurs were bestowed with best performing unit holder award by the Khadi and Village Industries Board in recognition of their contribution towards industrial growth and employment generation. The award handed over by Mir Saifullah to these budding entrepreneurs included memento and a Shawl.Later, the Minister went around the exhibition and said that such exhibitions provide a platform for artisans connected with different trades to showcase and sell their products. He asked the concerned department to organize many such exhibitions across the State for the benefit of artisans and entrepreneurs.