Ahmedabad, Gujarat 05 December 2024: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ahmedabad State Office, commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and the fourth Gaurav Divas with a special program celebrating Khadi’s enduring legacy and its role in rural empowerment. The event honored 20 volunteers and women entrepreneurs from Gujarat for their outstanding contributions to social service, particularly in tribal regions of the state.
The spotlight of the event was on Mrs. Pooja Kapoor, a Khadi entrepreneur from Ahmedabad, recognized for her exceptional work in promoting the Om Khadi brand. Mrs. Kapoor has revitalized Khadi products crafted by rural women, blending tradition with modernity to appeal to today’s youth.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Kapoor said, “Mahatma Gandhi understood the transformative power of Khadi here in Ahmedabad, but it is our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who reimagined Khadi as a global brand, aligning it with the aspirations and sartorial preferences of the younger generation. Inspired by his vision, I take pride in presenting Khadi in a new form that ensures its timeless relevance for future generations.”
The program was inaugurated by Shri Prabhat Kumar Jha, Executive Director of the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, and attended by officials from the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), the Ministry of AYUSH, the Gujarat State Khadi Village Industries Board, and Shri Sanjay Hedau, State Director of KVIC, Ahmedabad.
Gujarat, a significant hub for Khadi and village industries, hosts around 250 Khadi institutions supported by KVIC, alongside over 1 lakh units under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Srijan Yojana (PMEGP). These initiatives continue to play a crucial role in generating employment, fostering sustainable development, and empowering rural and tribal communities across the state.