The Hindu : Other States / Assam News : Khadi project puts a smile on many faces

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 13, 2004

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Other States - Assam

Khadi project puts a smile on many faces

GUWAHATI, NOV. 12. Biplabananda Goswami, Kishore Chakravarty and Bipul Borthakur - hailing from far away areas in Assam - have something in common which has virtually changed their lives.

The three, thanks to the margin money scheme launched by the office of the Commissioner for Khadi and Village Industries, are now successful businessmen giving employment opportunities to many.

Goswami started a rural employment generation programme unit and got an order for no less than 22000 dollars from Australia for his bamboo products.

The young man, hailing from Rampur in Kamrup district, was also benefitted by the training course organised by an IIT professor from Mumbai on treatment, value addition and diversification of bamboo products, Phulesh Chandra Das, Director in the office of the commissioner KVI, informed.

Goswami's is one of the many stalls set up in the KVI exhibition held in Chandmari Engineering Institute field, Mr. Das said adding the exhibition became an instant hit among the people.

Kishore Chakravarty's story is also the same as he never could ever dream what he would become one day and now his product of mustard oil captured the market outdoing many reputed brands.

Hailing from Nalbari, Chakravary employs five people and produces quality mustard oil which were seen selling like hot cakes in the exhibition, the senior official said.

Bipul Borthakur's success story is even more amazing and his spices products have not only captured the market of upper Assam but also the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

Such has been the demand for his products that Borthakur had to leave the exhibition ground and go all the way to his factory to get fresh stock of goods, Mr. Das said.

Explaining the success of the employment generation programmes, the official said awareness camps were being conducted in each district and potential beneficiaries extensively informed about self employment opportunities.

During the process of implementation of the programme the KVI extends support in the form of interest free loan and working capital with an aim to promote traditional artistic skill and products.

The KVI has prepared a special package for the North East which includes tapping the natural resources and group and industry-wise implementation.

Due to its tough terrain, additional funds are provided for holding awareness camps and workshops to cover each district in the region, he said.

For exposure of products of the North-East, special exhibitions are being organised in the metropolitan cities to bring public attention to the products.

Provision is also made for skill-based training to beneficiaries at 23 KVI departmental training centre located in the region, he said.

The KVI also arranges peripatetic training by deputing technical team to respective areas of entrepreneurs while encouragement is being given to exposure visits by the beneficiaries of the region to successful enterprises outside the region.

To integrate all the developmental activities, Common Facility Centre (CFC) package has been extended by the KVI to help new beneficiaries.

Hoardings are erected in prominent places and attractive posters carry the message to people of all walks of life, Mr. Das said.

He said record sales were reported in this year's Khadi exhibtion with a sale of nearly Rs 27 lakh achieved during the fair which ends on November 15. --PTI

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Khadi project puts a smile on many faces