As many as 150 trained Khadi artisans, including 100 women artisans in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are associated with various self-employment activities of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
On Saturday, Vinai Kumar Saxena distributed 50 Agarbatti making machines to 50 women artisans under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PM-EGP), so that they can set up their own incense sticks manufacturing units. Another objective of this is to strengthen the local Agarbatti industry. It is noteworthy that in Assam there are many jobs in the manufacture of incense sticks. KYIC has also roped in a business partner, a successful local Agarbatti manufacturer from Assam. They will provide raw materials and pay wages to these 50 women entrepreneurs and buy all the incense sticks made by them.
KYIC President Shri Saxena said that Khadi activities have been linked with the Prime Minister’s vision of ” Aatmanirbhar Bharat ” while making the youth self-reliant in the Northeast. He said, “ KYIC has consistently emphasized sustainable employment generation and strengthening of traditional crafts in the Northeast. With the support of KYIC, local youth and women will be empowered through agriculture and food-based industries like woodcraft, incense stick making and pickle making and employment opportunities will be available in their homes. ,
Recently KYIC has opened two ‘ Ari Silk Training and Production Centers ‘ in Arunachal Pradesh . Simultaneously the Monpa handmade paper industry has been revived in Tawang. In addition, KYIC has established 430 units of bamboo products in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the last two years including incense sticks and round bamboo stick manufacturing.