430 artisans receive toolkits at KVIC event in Anantapur

Calling on entreprenuers and youth to become active stakeholders in India’s growth story, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) chairman Manoj Kumar on Friday (March 27) called for widespread adoption of self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission at a major outreach programme here.

The KVIC, under the MSME Ministry, organised an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Utsav’ at the Government Junior College grounds here, where 430 trained traditional artisans were provided toolkits under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY).

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Manoj Kumar said the initiative was aligned with the ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, and ‘Viksit Bharat’ visions. He said khadi symbolises not just a fabric but a movement rooted in self-sufficiency and national pride. He noted that khadi sales have grown sharply from around ₹30,000 crore earlier to nearly ₹1.7 lakh crore in recent years.

He said artisans are being supported with training, modern equipment, marketing avenues, exhibitions, online sales platforms and financial assistance through schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

Toolkits were distributed and certificates issued to beneficiaries, officials said. Officials added that remaining eligible beneficiaries would receive tools in subsequent phases as part of the nationwide drive.