New Delhi (NVI): A few years back, families of militancy-affected areas of Kashmir shifted to Nagrota near Jamm city to sustain their existence.
In 2016, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) started a napkin stitching centre in Nagrota for the women impacted by the lack of livelihood opportunities and unemployment, to help them become self-dependent and sustain their families.
It was called ‘Khadi Rumal’ (khadi handkerchief), whose sale was launched here today by Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari in the presence of KVIC Chairman VK Saxena.
“This ‘Khadi Rumal’ is not just a piece of cloth, but a symbol of trust that the women in militancy-affected areas residing in Nagrota have on the people of India to enable them and empower them to live a life of dignity and respect,” Saxena said.
The sale of this ‘Khadi Rumal’ will instil confidence and enable the women all over Kashmir to come out and stand for themselves, earn a respectful livelihood and take care of their families, he said, adding “it is time for India to unite and help the cause.”
“We have targeted to sell 5 crore pieces of Khadi Rumal initially,” Saxena said.
“To create 5 crore pieces of Khadi Rumal, around 15 lakh kgs of cotton will be consumed, and it will require 25 lakh man-days of spinning, 12.5 lakh man-days of weaving and around 7.5 lakh man-days required for cutting, stitching and packing of Khadi Rumal, thus creating 44 lakh man-days of livelihood yielding wages amounting to Rs. 88 crores for various artisans,” the KVIC Chairman said.
He said a humble contribution of the citizens of India could be a stepping stone for the beginning of the ‘Journey of Transformation’.
“It is an opportunity where every Indian citizen can be a part of nation-building, a part of empowering the women artisans of Nagrota, and all those women of Kashmir too, who are still in line and looking forward to joining this journey of transformation. This shall be the real tribute to Bapu on his 150th birth anniversary,” Saxena said.
Speaking about it, Gadkari said, “This initiative of KVIC is the true reflection of Bapu’s vision of empowering the weakest of the society, and an appeal to the people to support this unique initiative which is creating jobs for needy.”
