Live demo of Pashmina spinning catches eyeballs at Khadi India Pavilion at IITF
Live demonstration of acclaimed Pashmina spinning by Kashmiri artisans is the cynosure of all at the Khadi India pavilion at India International Trade Fair 2021. Pashmina artisans from J&K are undoubtedly the glaring examples of exquisite creativity & self-reliance.
It’s after Khadi Institutions of Varanasi ventured into the making of globally acclaimed Pashmina, institutions have started processing raw pashmina wool in Delhi to supply it to Khadi artisans in Leh for spinning. A unique The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) initiative to boost employment in Ladakh.
As India’s multi-faceted ethnicity, cultural diversity, colourful weaves and traditional crafts have come under one roof at the Khadi India pavilion at IITF. The Khadi India pavilion comprises 50 stalls set up by Khadi artisans and Khadi institutions from 20 states and union territories, showcasing the finest handcrafted Khadi and Village Industry products. KVIC has given top priority to women artisans giving 18 (36%) of the total stalls to women. 10 of these stalls have been set up by artisans of Delhi while Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka have 5 stalls each.
According to Chairman KVIC Shri Saxena, the Khadi products on display in the Khadi India pavilion symbolize Swadeshi and India’s stride towards self-reliance, particularly in the post-Covid scenario. He said, Khadi is the biggest symbol of swadeshi. The sheer variety of Khadi and Village Industry products being displayed at the IITF indicates the strengthening of India’s domestic manufacturing sector and the rural economy.
Apart from Pashmina weaving, live demonstration of pottery making, beekeeping, handmade paper making, Agarbatti making, footwear making, etc. is being done at the Khadi India pavilion to educate and motivate youths to take up self-employment activities. A special facilitation desk will also guide the budding entrepreneurs about setting up manufacturing / service units under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP).
The fair offers a chance for visitors to lay their hands on finest fabric such as Muslin of West Bengal, Patola silk of Gujarat, Banarasi Silk, Bhagalpuri Silk, Phulkari art of Punjab, Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh and several other varieties of cotton, silk and wool fabric are at display at the Khadi pavilion. Besides this a wide range of village industry products like handcrafted tribal jewellery, bamboo products from Assam, leather goods , cosmetics, herbal medicines, Eco-friendly agarbatti made from waste flowers collected from temples, etc. are attracting the visitors. too attracted a large number of visitors.
