Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 24: A smartly-planned ‘National Khadi Utsav 2015’ will be held here under the aegis of the Orissa Khadi and Village Industry Board from February 26, Thursday, that will carry on for 21 days. Over 200 stalls will be selling items from various states at the Utsav organised at Kharvel Nagar, opposite Ram Mandir. Attractive rebates will be on offer.
“For the first time, OKVIB will be holding a Khadi exhibition at the national level. This is an ambitious plan that was envisaged since 1956 when the board was set up here, but could not be done so far,” said OKVIB chairman Tejeswar Parida here Tuesday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would inaugurate the event in which nearly 20 states would take part with their products. This Utsav follows a recent tie-up for marketing with the Karnataka Khadi Board, that envisaged adoption of new designs and sharing of technology. Karnataka Khadi Board chairman Laxman Rao Chingale would be present as the guest of honour on the inaugural day.
Officials of the Khadi Boards of Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir would also visit the exhibition.
Apart from Orissa, stalls will be opened by those from Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir etc.
“The event will provide a platform for those engaged in Khadi weaving and marketing in the state to showcase their works and gain financially by selling their Khadi products,” Parida said, adding, “With around 20 states participating, the event would be an innovative way to promote silk and tussar Khadi handlooms and products.”
A special attraction at the Utsav will be the ‘ethnic food court’ in which traditional food and delicacies of various districts of Orissa will be available.”
The state Khadi Board is expecting a Rs 4 crore business. “The last time we organised a Khadi exhibition, we had a business turnover of Rs 2 crore. The footfall throughout the Utsav period would be around Rs 10 lakh.”
While the Centre had given a
financial support of Rs 40lakh, Parida said the state Khadi Board has sought a Rs 40lakh aid from the state government.
The total expenditure for the exhibition would exceed Rs 1crore, he said.