27 March 2026, Anantapur

Towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,' ‘Vocal for Local,' and ‘Local to Global,' the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) organized a machinery and toolkit distribution program under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) on Friday at the Government Junior College Ground, New Town, Anantapur. Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, KVIC, graced the event as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, a total of 261 sets of modern machinery and toolkits were distributed to 430 artisans under various village industry activities.

During the distribution program, 160 electric pottery wheels, 20 electrician toolkits, 20 AC repair and maintenance kits, and 40 sewing machines were distributed. In addition, 15 sets for tamarind processing (for 150 beneficiaries), 4 sets for paper plate and dona manufacturing (for 20 beneficiaries), and 2 sets for fiber extraction and fancy article manufacturing (for 20 beneficiaries) machines were also provided.

Addressing the occasion, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a new revolution of transforming "Artisans into Entrepreneurs" have gained motivation across the country. He opined that KVIC's schemes are empowering rural youth and traditional artisans to become self-reliant while connecting them with modern technology, training, and market linkages.

KVIC Chairman further remarked that the Khadi and Village Industries Commission are generating sustainable employment opportunities in villages through an integrated model of "Skill, Tool, and Market," thereby strengthening the rural economy. Highlighting KVIC's achievements in Andhra Pradesh, it was stated that over the past five years, 35,093 units have been established under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), for which margin money assistance surpassing Rs.1,292 crore was provided, resulting in the creation of employment opportunities for over 3.62 lakh people.

Over the last five years, under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY), 3,223 machinery and toolkits have been distributed across the state, benefiting 1,849 beneficiaries and thereby giving a significant boost to self-employment. In the Khadi sector as well, 113 Khadi institutions and approximately 4,934 artisans are currently active in the state, and a consistent upward trend is being recorded in both production and sales.

Speaking on this occasion, Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar reiterated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s resolution for ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ is a modern extension of Mahatma Gandhi’s core ethics of ‘Swadeshi’, ‘Gram Swaraj’, and ‘Aatmanirbharta’. He further added that presently, the spirit of ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi’ and ‘Ghar-Ghar Swadeshi’ is reaching to every person, and Khadi and Village Industries are emerging as powerful instruments for transforming this concept into reality. He further added that through the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, local products are gaining recognition, while through ‘Local to Global’ and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives, these products are establishing their presence in the international market, thereby infusing new energy into the rural economy.

In his address, Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar remarked that, as a result of the Modi government's policies, Khadi and Village Industry products have carved out a distinct identity for themselves on the global stage. Over the past decade, the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries has surpassed Rs.1.7 lakh crore, providing employment to more than 2 crore people. He emphasized that this transformation signifies not merely an economic shift but also a social and cultural renaissance, one in which Gandhiji’s principles of Swadeshi and the Prime Minister’s vision for a modern India are advancing together.

The event was attended by representatives of Khadi institutions, artisans, trainees, and bank representatives, as well as officers and employees from the KVIC and the state government.

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