Inauguration of special Khadi exhibition at INA Delhi Haat as part of the 'Khadi Mahotsav'.

• Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, inaugurated the exhibition as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, KVIC.

• The exhibition will run until October 15th. 86 stalls of Khadi institutions and Village Industries units from various states of the country were set up.

• The Chief Minister of Delhi appealed to the people to visit the exhibition and purchase as many Khadi products as possible.

• The Chairman of KVIC said that in line with the vision of the Prime Minister, the objective of the exhibition aims to make Swadeshi products available to the masses through the 'GST Bachat Utsav'.

In line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote Swadeshi products among the masses through the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, inaugurated a special Khadi exhibition at INA Delhi Haat on Wednesday. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, in the august presence of KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar. Held during the festive season as part of the nationwide "Khadi Mahotsav," the exhibition aims to promote Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “Vocal for Local" and "Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar Ghar Swadeshi" campaigns and increase the income of Khadi artisans.

Organized by the State Office of Khadi and Village Industries Commission, New Delhi, this special Khadi exhibition will continue till October 15^th. Khadi institutions and entrepreneurs from 18 states, including Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Haryana, and Jammu, are participating in the exhibition. A total of 86 stalls, representing 33 Khadi institutions and 53 PMEGP and Village Industries units from various states are showcasing a wide range of Khadi and Village Industries products. Products including Sarees, Readymade garments, Handicrafts, Herbal and Ayurvedic products, Leather goods, Handmade paper products, Pickles, Spices, Soaps, Shampoos, Honey, and more products are available for sale at the exhibition. Artisans and craftsmen are also showcasing live demonstrations of their diverse products.

While addressing the media at the inauguration, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta appealed to the public at large to embrace Khadi and Swadeshi products as much as possible. On this occasion, she specifically urged the residents of Delhi to visit the exhibition for their festive shopping and become a part of Prime Minister's "Vocal for Local" and "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" campaigns by purchasing Swadeshi products. She stated that the primary objective of this exhibition is to strengthen the economic condition of rural artisans and traditional craftspeople, empower them, and preserve India's vibrant heritage of Swadeshi crafts.

During interaction with the media, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar stated that, in line with fulfilling Prime Minister's vision, the primary objective of the exhibition is to spread the message of "Garv se Kaho ye Swadeshi hai" through the "GST Bachat Utsav”. He opined that this exhibition, organized as part of the "Khadi Mahotsav”, offers a glimpse of "Mini India”. 17 units from KVIC's Central Region, 18 from the Eastern Region, 38 from the Northern Region, 8 from the Southern Region, and 1 from the North East Region are showcasing their products. He further stated that the exhibition features a special series to promote India's rich cultural heritage related to traditional crafts, reflecting the public's commitment to "Vocal for Local" and "Make in India”.

Chairman KVIC further reiterated that the GST reform implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a historic step for the Khadi sector. Now, GST on Khadi products has been reduced to zero, which will directly benefit Khadi artisans and enterprises. This decision will significantly increase the production, sales, and popularity of Khadi, and will increase awareness and interest in Khadi across the country. He said, "With the inspiration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Khadi and Village Industries have sparked a new 'Artisan Revolution' in every village. In the financial year 2024-25, the total production of Khadi and Village Industries was ?1,16,599 crore and sales were ?1,70,551 crore, providing employment to approximately 20 million people." He also opined that "In the last 11 years, production in Khadi and Village Industries sector has increased fourfold, sales fivefold, and employment by 49 percent. This unprecedented progress is an example of the economic and social transformation brought about under Prime Minister's leadership."

To further enrich the visitor’s experience, the exhibition will also feature live demonstrations and cultural programs showcasing India's traditional arts and crafts. This is not just an exhibition, but a platform that allows rural artists and craftsmen to showcase their art, strengthen their economy and contributes to preserve India’s Swadeshi craftsmanship.

Officials and employees of the Delhi Government and KVIC were present at the event.