New Delhi, October 24 (). Taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve of ‘Swadeshi’, ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ and under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government on Friday took a historic step towards giving a new direction to Khadi and village industries.
Almost four years later, the 54th meeting of the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB) was held, which was chaired by Environment and Industry Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
In the meeting, it was decided that in coordination with DSIIDC, a Grand Emporio will be set up at Connaught Place, Delhi, with the aim of providing a ‘one-stop’ experience in the heart of Delhi, where approximately 650 GI tagged products from India will be displayed and sold in a curated manner, so that Indian and foreign consumers can experience and buy our handicraft heritage under one roof.
Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “The priorities of the previous government were different. They completely forgot the dream of Khadi of Mahatma Gandhi, whose memorial they visited every year and said they took inspiration from. Not a single meeting of the DKVIB was held for four years. Today we have revived that tradition.”
It was also decided in the meeting that legal consultants would be appointed to prepare new acts and rules of DKVIB. With this, the functioning of the board can be further strengthened and organized. Minister Sirsa further said that the Delhi government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has allocated Rs 50 crore in this year’s budget, through which the board will ensure complete arrangements for the training of artisans, skilling, funding and marketing of their products.
Sirsa said, “Our small artisans have art, but neither the means nor the platform to sell their handmade products. DKVIB will become the medium for them that will provide scale, funding and market access to their art.”
During the meeting, senior officials informed Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa that the process of getting GI tag for three traditional products of Delhi has started, due to which very soon the capital’s own products will also be included in the specific geographical indication list of the country.
The meeting was attended by Vipul Pathak (ACS, Industries & Finance), Prashant Goyal (ACS, Member DKVIB), Nazuk Kumar (MD, DSIIDC), Mahesh Kumar (MD, DKVIB), representatives of NABARD and other senior officials.
17 major agendas were discussed in this meeting, which mainly included decisions like skill enhancement scheme for cottage industries, financial assistance to artisans, and establishment of common sales platform for indigenous products.
After the meeting, Manjinder Singh Sirsa also inaugurated a special exhibition of jute bags and handmade paper items at the Nigam Bhawan office of DKVIB at Kashmere Gate.
He said, “Under the Swadeshi resolution of the Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, we have inaugurated the exhibition of jute bags and handmade paper products made by local artisans at the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board office. I urge all the industries, traders and citizens to come here, see this exclusive collection and encourage the artisans of Delhi.”
After Chief Minister Rekha Gupta appointed Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa as the Chairman of Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB), the functioning of the Board has gained momentum and new direction. Under the leadership of Minister Sirsa, the Board has worked to bring artisans on one platform through events like Swadeshi Fair. In this sequence, for the first time, traditional Indian handloom was presented as modern fashion by involving students in unique programs like ‘Vastra Katha’. Besides, concrete initiatives have also been taken towards providing recognition and opportunities to local artisans by organizing special exhibitions of GI tagged products. All this reflects the commitment of the Delhi Government to promote Swadeshi and preserve the heritage of Indian handloom.
—
DKP/
