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The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organized the 'Khadi Gaurav Sammaan Samaaroh' today at Nallappa Mahal in Pollachi, Coimbatore district. This event, in alignment with the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aimed to further the objectives of taking the 'New Khadi of New India' to unprecedented heights.
At the Khadi Gaurav Sammaan Samaaroh, the KVIC Chairman honored Khadi artisans and representatives from institutions in Tamil Nadu on stage. He presented them with certificates, shields, and shawls. Additionally, he engaged with the artisans directly, inquiring about their challenges and assuring them of prompt solutions. KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar addressed a gathering that included representatives and beneficiaries from various Khadi institutions. He emphasized the vital role played by Khadi workers in nation-building and highlighted the continuous development efforts undertaken by KVIC to modernize and rejuvenate Khadi production across the country. Shri Manoj Kumar lauded the contribution of Khadi artisans, particularly the 11,872 artisans in Tamil Nadu who were employed through 74 Khadi institutions during the financial year 2023-24.
Shri Manoj Kumar shared that in the last decade, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Khadi has not only revived but also gained global recognition as a symbol of India's rich heritage. The Chairman cited that the sales of Khadi and Village Industries products have seen a remarkable fivefold increase from ₹31,154.20 Crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,55,673.12 Crore in 2023-24. This unprecedented growth is also reflected in job creation, with over 10.17 lakh new jobs generated in this sector, out of which 5 lakh are Khadi artisans, 80% of whom are women.
Shri Manoj Kumar underscored the importance of Khadi as the soul of a self-reliant India and the foundation of the rural economy. He pointed out that for the first time in independent India's history, the Khadi and Village Industries sector has crossed the ₹1.55 lakh crore mark, setting a new record. In Tamil Nadu alone, Khadi production in 2023-24 reached ₹224.12 crore, with sales totalling ₹397.63 crore.
The KVIC Chairman further highlighted the initiatives undertaken under the Village Industry Development Scheme, where machines and toolkits have been distributed to artisans in traditional industries after essential training. This initiative has enabled rural entrepreneurs to sustain their livelihoods within their communities.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from local Khadi institution representatives, sewing machine artisans, and citizens, along with the presence of KVIC officials and employees.