Produce khadi as per current trends: KVIC chairperson

Rajkot, Sep 14 (UNI) Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC) chairperson Kumud Joshi today stressed on the need to reform the Khadi industry by adopting the latest technology and remove the old equipment with new ones to woo the new generations.

Speaking on the occasion of the inaugural function of 'Khadi Craft' here, Ms Joshi said the globalisation and liberalisation have changed the face of the Indian market and psyche of the Indian consumer, putting new pressures on the craft sector and small producers.

She said if traditional craft techniques and their producers were to survive, they should not remain static. They should adopt new production systems and marketing strategies.

She said the sick units of Khadi Gram Udyog will be revived in a phased manner and the employees need to change their attitudes in response to consumer needs and usages.

Ms Joshi stressed on the need to open more outlets at the doorstep of customers as per their choices so that they should not have to go far in search of khadi.

Gujarat State Khadi Gram Udyog Board chairman S S Sanehey said during the past decade employment opportunities had drastically declined from 67,000 to 17,000. The income of the khadi also declined from Rs 68 crore to 24 crore.

He reiterated if Khadi Udyog had to survive, they need to invest in research and development of khadi and produce it as per the needs and usages of coustomers.

On the occasion, six khadi workers, including three women, were felicitated by KVIC chairperson and gave away cash prize of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively for their outstanding work.

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