Chhattisgarh: Khadi opens doors of opportunity for many

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Khadi and Village Industries board is making efforts to provide regular employment opportunities to local women self-help groups in rural areas during lockdown to make them self-reliant.


With the intention and direction of chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and under the leadership of village industries minister Guru Rudrakumar, village industry has become a strong medium to provide regular employment opportunities to the rural women thereby contributing in the direction of strengthening the rural economy of Chhattisgarh.

Village industries minister Guru Rudrakumar has appreciated the efforts taken by the department to provide employment to women in rural areas and providing a better market for products manufactured by them.


A department spokesperson informed that women self-help groups associated with the board are manufacturing triple fold masks of Khadi cloth besides manufacturing herbal soaps using natural ingredients including roses, neem, lemon, charcoal, fullers earth, honey, aloe vera, mix-fruit, and basil under ' Khadi India ' mark/brand. Besides, detergent powder for washing clothes and sanitizers are also being prepared by these women groups. He informed that along with providing employment to women through Khadi and Village Industries Board through these channels, their products are also being sold at various outlets of the board in Raipur, Bilaspur, and Jagdalpur.

Meanwhile, the board is also making its efforts and providing its contribution in the fight against corona pandemic by providing employment opportunities to rural women. The board has manufactured more than 3.50 lakhs masks used as a protection against corona infection. Besides, more than 19,000 meters of cloth used for preparing face masks has been provided to various departments. As per the departmental officials, the masks have been prepared from the women of self-help groups in rural areas under Chhattisgarh State Handloom Development and Marketing Cooperative Federation and Chhattisgarh Khadi and Village Industries Board to promote women empowerment and providing them employment. These masks have been supplied to government departments and other institutions. While women of self-help groups have been provided regular employment during lockdown, their economic status has also strengthened, said an official.