Mangalore, February 24: The 'Khadi Utsav-2012' an exhibition cum sale of Khadi products began at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan in Pandeshwar, here on Friday.
Daskshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat president K T Shailaja Bhat inaugurated the 10-day Utsav organized by Karnataka State Khadi and Village Employment Board, State Industry and Trade Department.
Speaking on the occasion, she said Mahatma Gandhi's dream of 'Rama Rajya,' can be a reality when villagers achieve self-reliance. It is possible through Khadi and Village Employment, if leaders motivate general public towards Khadi and Village Employment, she said.
Ms Bhat also opined that such expo can be organised at taluk-level as the people in coastal region have passion towards Khadi.
Central Zone Khadi and Village Employment Commission President Indrajit Vikram Singh said that the 10-day expo is likely to generate a turn over of Rs 1 crore.
Stressing the need to popularise village products, Kalkura Foundation President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that when a village employee gets international price for his product, he would never like to change his profession.
District Industrial Centre Joint Director S G Hegade, State Khadi and Village Industries Deputy Director Somappa Nayka, KVI Development Officer Jyothi were present.
As many as 52 units including that from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and all over Karnataka have opened shops in the expo, said Dakshina Kannada Khadi and Village Employment Officer U Veerappa Poojari.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Eranna of Gadag Khadi Workers' Cooperative Society opined that it is worth visiting Mangalore though it is 450 kms away from Gadag. “We produce khadi products like bedsheets, towels etc in Gadag and sell in different parts of the State,” he said.
Sunandamma of 'Shankari Mahila Swasahaya Sangha' was busy selling cotton and silk sarees. “We manufacture sarees in our homes with the help of six labourers. These cost anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1000,” she said. Other than cloths, the expo is offering food products, leather materials and tiny fashionable wooden products to the customers. The expo will be open till March 4.
Comments
Add new comment