Kosa's Shine Reaches Global Market: Chief Minister Launches Chhattisgarh's Premium Handloom Brand 'Koshal Fab'
New Flight for Swadeshi: On National Handloom Day, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai provided aid and awards exceeding Rs 10.90 crore to weavers and artisans.
Inspiring Picture of a Changing Bastar on National Handloom Day: Surrendered women walked the ramp.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the state-level weavers' conference and Swadeshi exhibition.
Handloom is the strong identity of our culture, employment, and self-reliance - Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai.
The journey from 'Local to Global' will be strengthened through innovation: Launch of Inventory Management Software.
Raipur / On the occasion of National Handloom Day, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the state-level weavers' conference and Swadeshi exhibition organized at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in the capital Raipur. On this occasion, he distributed grants and awards exceeding Rs 10.90 crore to various beneficiaries of the Silk, Handloom, Handicraft, Khadi, and Mati Kala Boards, as well as meritorious students. During this, Chief Minister Shri Sai launched Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation's new premium handloom brand 'Koshal Fab', unveiling its logo and catalogue. He also launched the Handloom Inventory Management Software.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai extended National Handloom Day wishes to the people of the state, especially weavers and artisans. He said that in memory of the Swadeshi Movement that began on August 7, 1905, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the observance of this day as National Handloom Day in 2015.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Chhattisgarh's Kosa silk, Bastar weaving, and the state's traditional handloom products are making a unique identity nationally and internationally. He said that the state government's aim is to give Chhattisgarh's handloom products a new identity from 'Local to Global'. For this, continuous work is being done towards modern design, skill enhancement, training, branding, marketing, and providing new markets.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that his government is working with commitment towards the economic and social empowerment of every section of society. He said that the state government has fulfilled most of the promises made under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's guarantee. The dream of pucca houses for millions of poor families is being realized through the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. The payment of differential amount for paddy purchase to farmers, financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually to landless agricultural laborers, economic empowerment of women through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, and the relaunch of the Charangpaduka Yojana for tendu leaf collectors are proof of the government's public welfare thinking.
The Chief Minister said that through the Ramlala Darshan Yojana, over 50,000 devotees from the state have had the darshan of Lord Shri Ram. He said that the state government is committed to a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free governance system. Through the e-office system, Chief Minister Helpline 1076, and the Seva Setu portal, timely, transparent, and doorstep government services are being provided to common citizens. He said that the government's aim is to deliver the benefits of development schemes to the last person and to build a self-reliant and prosperous Chhattisgarh.
Good Governance for Weavers is a Major Initiative of the Government
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the state government is continuously working for the economic empowerment of weavers and artisans. He said that in the last two and a half years, approval has been granted for the construction of weaver sheds cum houses for 469 landless weaver families. He said that during the same period, through 47 exhibitions, handloom products worth approximately Rs 10 crore were sold, providing better market access to weavers. The Chief Minister said that women play a significant role in the handloom sector. Keeping this in mind, more than Rs 68 crore has been paid as stitching remuneration to 2,001 women self-help groups in the last two and a half years.
The Chief Minister said that through the Khadi and Village Industries Board, textiles worth Rs 93 crore have been provided to various government departments through five sales depots and the Central Warehousing Corporation. Additionally, government procurement of handloom products worth Rs 436 crore, manufactured by weavers, has provided them with financial support.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government is continuously striving to provide national and international market access for handloom products. In this direction, showrooms for Chhattisgarh's handloom and handicraft products are being established at five major airports in the country. Moreover, the Unity Mall being constructed in Raipur will provide a modern marketing platform for local products.
He said that Chhattisgarh's first garment unit is being established in Naya Raipur, which will create employment opportunities for over 4,500 people. The establishment of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) will provide new opportunities to the youth of the state in the design and textile sector, and Chhattisgarh's handloom industry will reach new heights.
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh Encouraged Weavers
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said that approximately 1.20 lakh families in the state are associated with handloom and related activities. He said that the initiation of National Handloom Day by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given new identity and energy to this sector.
He urged all citizens to buy at least one handloom product every year, stating that preserving the hard work of weavers, their art, and our rich tradition is a shared responsibility of all of us.
Village Industries Minister Recalled the Legacy of the Swadeshi Movement
Village Industries Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav said that the Swadeshi Movement, which began on August 7, 1905, ignited the spirit of self-reliance in the country. He said that Chhattisgarh's Kosa saree holds a special place across the country, and the state government is continuously working to promote handloom, handicrafts, and village industries.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is committed to providing new opportunities to weavers, artisans, and local entrepreneurs and to secure wider markets for their products.
Chief Minister Reviewed Swadeshi Exhibition and Stalls, Purchased Kosa Saree
During the program, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai reviewed the Swadeshi exhibition. He inspected the stalls set up by various organizations including Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation, Bilasa Handloom, Khadi and Village Industries Board, Handicraft Development Board, Sabari Emporium, and Mati Kala Board. During this, he reviewed Kosa silk, Khadi, handicrafts, pottery, and other traditional products, interacted with the artisans, and gathered information about product quality, marketing, and employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister appealed to adopt and promote local products more and more. During the exhibition, he personally made an immediate payment and purchased a Kosa saree from the handloom stall. He said that the purchase of local products is the greatest honor of the labor and skill of weavers and artisans. This heartfelt gesture by the Chief Minister doubled the enthusiasm of the weavers and women artisans present at the program.
Ramp Walk by Surrendered Women Became a Center of Attraction
The most inspiring and emotional moment of the program was when surrendered Naxal women from Bastar confidently walked the ramp in the Swadeshi fashion show. They showcased Chhattisgarh's traditional Kosa silk and other handloom garments attractively. This presentation was a powerful expression of the confidence, dignified rehabilitation, and the positive picture of a changing Bastar of women joining the mainstream and moving towards self-reliant lives. The audience applauded enthusiastically to encourage them.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai had an intimate conversation with the surrendered women, boosted their morale, and wished them a bright future. It is noteworthy that most of these women had come to Raipur for the first time. This experience became a part of their unforgettable life memories.
Chief Minister Launched 'Koshal Fab' Premium Brand
The new premium handloom brand of the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation, 'Koshal Fab', was launched during the program. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai also unveiled the brand's logo and catalogue. Based on the concept of 'Loom to Luxury', this premium brand will play a significant role in giving new identity to Chhattisgarh's Kosa and traditional handloom products in national and international markets and taking them to a global level.
Launch of Inventory Management Software and Other Innovations
In the presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Inventory Management Software developed by the Chhattisgarh State Handloom Federation in collaboration with NIT was launched. This digital initiative will make the storage, management, marketing, and distribution system of products more effective, transparent, and organized.
On this occasion, a directory of state and nationally awarded weavers and a book on tie-dye and bandhani dyeing were also released. The glazing unit to be established in Goriya, Jashpur district, was also inaugurated.
During the program, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai distributed grants and awards to beneficiaries under various schemes of the Village Industries Department. He provided an incentive amount of Rs 81.83 lakh to 935 students who performed excellently in Class 10th and 12th. He also honored 17 senior weavers with honorariums for their outstanding contributions.
The Chief Minister said that under the Handloom Directorate, approval exceeding Rs 1.22 crore has been granted for the construction of weaver sheds cum houses for 49 weavers. Additionally, Rs 75 lakh in assistance has been provided to five weaver cooperative societies for building construction, and 85 weavers have been provided with improved looms and accessories. With the support of Sight Savers India, spectacles were distributed to weavers who underwent eye examinations. Under the Silk Samagra Yojana, 21 silk farmers were provided financial assistance by the Directorate of Silk. Grants were distributed to beneficiaries of the Khadi and Village Industries Board under the Chief Minister Rozgar Yojana.
Similarly, 30 artisans were provided with modern toolkits by the Handicraft Development Board, and 70 registered potters were provided with electric wheels by the Mati Kala Board, which will give new momentum to their production and livelihood.
On the occasion of National Handloom Day, the Chief Minister honored outstanding weavers with the State-Level Late Bishudas Mahant Best Weaver Award and the Rajrajeshwari Karunamata Handloom Promotion Award.
Appeal to Join 'Selfie with Swadeshi' Campaign
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai appealed to the people of the state to adopt Swadeshi products and join the 'Selfie with Swadeshi' campaign. He said that the purchase of local products not only strengthens the livelihood of weavers, artisans, and craftspeople but also strengthens the resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). He said that selected participants from each district who share a selfie with Swadeshi products on social media will be awarded. The Chief Minister urged more and more people to participate in this campaign and promote local products.
Industry Minister Shri Lakhanlal Dewangan, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Handloom Weavers' Federation Shri Bhojram Dewangan, Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board Shri Rakesh Pandey, Chairperson of Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Smt. Shalini Rajput, Chairman of Sanskrit Vidya Mandal Shri Rajesh Rajput, Secretary Shri Rajesh Singh Rana, Shri Chunilal Sahu, along with public representatives and a large number of weavers, artisans, and craftspeople were present at the program.