KVIC spins the minds of youth in poaching-infested Assam.

Chairman kicks off new training-cum-production centre at Silimkhowa (Assam):

by Suman Gupta

Following the old saying ‘Idle mind devil’s workshop’, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has derived a novel way to cut out illegal poaching and maintain flora and fauna in and around Kaziranga National Park.

Amid much fervor and gaiety, the KVIC Chairman Mr Vinai Kumar Saxena today  inaugurated the new training-cum-production centre setup in association with Assam forest department. KVIC has given 25 charkhas, five looms and other accessories to the village artisans on Monday at Silimkhowa village under Karbi-Anglong district in Kaziranga forest area.

Later, while addressing the gathering there after the inaugural function where  spinning and weaving  project have been given , Mr. Saxena said that it is historic day because  for the first time  in Assam  Cotton Khadi work has started that too with 10 spindle  charkhas. Out of 80 women selected for the project, 35  have been given training.  This unit  would provide job opportunities to nearly 50 rural families of this area. “As Khadi and Village Industries activities have underlined good employment potential in almost all the districts of Assam, we will leave no stone unturned to provide job opportunities to the rural youths, under the (Prime Minister Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) – to keep them engaged in creative works. With proper mental, physical and social involvement – they will not eke out their livelihood properly; they will also come forward as custodians to save the endangered species of their area as well as the fauna and flora,” he said, adding, “We have also planned to launch bee-keeping programs in these forest areas – to make our tribal fraternity economically more feasible.”

Mr Saxena further said that weaving had been a part of culture in Assam. “It is famous for its glorious fabrics like Muga and Endi. KVI program in Assam is being implemented through 20 directly aided institutions of KVIC , covering about 5,000 artisans and production of approximately Rs 11 crore,” he said, adding, “The sale of Khadi and Polyvastra is around Rs 14 crore here and marketing assistance is being provided through departmental Khadi Bhawans of Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board as well as non-departmental Bhawans of KVI institutions. Not only that, the artisans are being benefited through several social welfare schemes of KVIC – including Aam Admi Bima Yojana, Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisan and Artisan Welfare and Pension Trust”

The KVIC Chairman further hoped that on the similar lines, many other production centres would be started  to enhance Khadi activities in Assam.