Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for MSME, Government of India, inaugurated the Zonal Level Exhibition at People’s Plaza, Freedom Park, Bengaluru. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri P.C. Mohan, MP; Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, KVIC; Shri Byrati Basavaraj, MLA; and other dignitaries. The 10-day exhibition features around 100 stalls showcasing products from PMEGP, REGP, Khadi, SFURTI, and various Village Industries. In the exhibition, 60 percent of the units are from PMEGP, and 40 percent are related to Khadi.

In her inaugural address, Minister of State for MSME Sushri Shobha Karandlaje emphasized Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call to the nation to become ‘Vocal for Local’ by adopting local products. She highlighted that, in response to this vision, KVIC has launched initiatives like PMEGP, SFURTI, and GVY to provide self-employment opportunities for the country’s unemployed youth. These schemes also play a significant role in promoting local traditional arts.

She further stated that the exhibition represents another step by KVIC to support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign led by the Prime Minister. The exhibition in Bengaluru offers a platform to showcase the creativity of artisans, their products, and by-products, thereby enhancing their livelihoods. She added that KVIC organises around 30 state and special exhibitions annually to provide Khadi artisans with opportunities to display their skills and products.

Shri P.C. Mohan, MP from Central Bengaluru, in his address, urged the residents of Bengaluru to visit the Khadi Exhibition in large numbers and embrace indigenous products. He also commended KVIC for its initiatives aimed at supporting artisans in Karnataka, highlighting the positive impact of these schemes on their livelihoods and the promotion of traditional crafts.

Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman of KVIC, speaking at the event, reiterated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, KVIC has been relentlessly working towards the upliftment of rural India and ensuring sustainability for artisans. As a result, for the first time in Independent India’s history, KVIC’s sales for the financial year 2023-24 surpassed Rs. 1.55 lakh crore. This unprecedented growth has also translated into significant job creation, generating over 10.17 lakh new employment opportunities in the sector.

Chairman of KVIC further highlighted Karnataka’s pivotal role in the Khadi sector under KVIC's South Zone. The state is renowned for its contribution to the production and sale of Mulberry Silk Khadi Sarees, Shirtings, Cotton Khadi, Woolen Khadi, and the iconic National Flags. The Bengaluru region alone houses 131 Khadi institutions, providing employment to approximately 14,027 spinners, weavers, and artisans. Across the South Zone, a total of 642 Khadi institutions support the livelihoods of around 49,848 artisans.

Over the past decade, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Khadi of New India has emerged as the 'Guarantee of a Developed India.’ Karnataka has played a vital role in implementing KVIC’s flagship Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), offering robust financial support through margin money and subsidies. This has resulted in a manifold increase in the sales of Khadi and Village Industry (KVI) products, including those under PMEGP. He further stated, "The PMEGP program has delivered remarkable performance across the country. In Karnataka alone, 1,495 PMEGP units were established by the end of the third quarter of the financial year 2024-25, with a total margin money disbursement of Rs. 46.91 crore so far."

The program witnessed the participation of distinguished guests, including representatives from local Khadi institutions, PMEGP entrepreneurs, Khadi artisans, KVIC officers, and employees, along with other dignitaries.

 

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(Release ID: 2090656)