With a focus on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of connecting rural skills with self-employment and entrepreneurship, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, took a significant step by organizing a grand distribution ceremony on Wednesday at the Government School premises in Uniara, Tonk district, Rajasthan. During the program organized under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, the Chief Guest, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar distributed 1,248 machines and toolkits to 830 artisans marking a significant step toward recognizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ at the grassroots level. Shri Rajendra Gurjar, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Deoli- Uniara constituency in Rajasthan was also present at the event.

The equipment distributed include 500 bee-boxes, 400 electric pottery wheels, 40 turnwood machines, 20 electrician toolkits, 20 AC repairing toolkits, 10 agarbatti making machines, 10 leather footwear manufacturing machines, 100 footwear repairing toolkits, 8 dona-pattal making machines, and 140 sewing machines. These tools play an essential role in transforming local skills into productive enterprises.

Addressing the event as the Chief Guest, Shri Manoj Kumar Chairman, KVIC stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign proved ‘Artisan Revolution’ in rural areas. Through this movement, the sale of local Khadi products, promoted under the ‘Make in India’ initiative has significantly empowered the rural economy. He further stated that presently, driven by the resolution for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, Khadi and Village Industries is taking ahead the very spirit of Swadeshi and self-reliance that Pujya Bapu had envisioned in his work, ‘Hind Swaraj’.

The Chairman further highlighted that, under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, equipment has been continuously distributed across Rajasthan over the last five years through various initiatives, including the Honey Mission, pottery, footwear manufacturing, agarbatti production, electrical work, plumbing, and other activities. During this period, 10,291 machines and toolkits were provided, benefiting 6,355 artisans which resulted in enhanced production capacities and expanded opportunities for income generation. This continuity demonstrates that the objective of the scheme is not merely distribution, but rather long-term economic empowerment.

He also opined that, currently in Rajasthan, employment is being provided to 25,014 spinners, weavers, and Khadi workers through 184 Khadi institutions falling under the jurisdiction of Jaipur and Bikaner offices providing a stable foundation to the state's rural economy. Additionally, over the past five years, 9,910 projects were established in Rajasthan under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). These units were provided with margin money assistance exceeding Rs.481 crore, resulting in the creation of employment opportunities for 79,280 people.

Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi firmly believes that India's true strength lies in its villages, and the Nation will become resilient only when the rural economy is empowered. In association with this vision, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission is working to integrate the traditional skills of rural artisans with modern technology, training, marketing, and market linkages, thereby enabling local products to gain not only national but also global recognition. He highlighted that, over the last 11 years, the Khadi and Village Industries sector has achieved unprecedented progress, recording a turnover of over Rs.1.70 lakh crore and during this period, employment opportunities were created for more than 2 crore people, a testament to the growing strength of the rural economy.

The event was attended by representatives of Khadi institutions, beneficiaries of the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, other public representatives, as well as officers and staff members from KVIC and the State Office.