Bhopal, Dec. 27 – Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, issued a comprehensive set of directives aimed at raising the profile and sales of the state‑wide handloom and handicraft sector. The goal is to protect cultural heritage, empower local artisans, and spur rural economic growth.
During a high‑level review of the Department of Cottage and Village Industries, the CM urged that state‑owned brands—Mrignayani, Vindhya Valley, Kabira, and Prakrit—be showcased in MP Tourism units, major religious sites, and other prominent venues across the state. He also called for extending these brands down to the district level through private franchise partnerships and for using digital media to reach national and international audiences.
Dr. Yadav announced plans to organize saree walk‑athons in other cities, modeled after the hugely successful event in Indore on March 7 that attracted 27,000 women. He wants to promote the tradition of wearing sarees and to broaden silk production with active private‑sector participation.
The CM also stressed the need for a consolidated database of all state‑registered GI‑tagged products. Certain handicraft items—including heritage Maheshwari stoles packaged in wooden boxes adorned with Gond tribal paintings and bells of metalwork—have been selected for gifting to guests at the Prime Minister’s Office, with additional requests coming from foreign embassies.
In celebration of the 300th birth anniversary of former Malwa ruler Ahilyadevi Holkar, 52 exclusive saree designs inspired by engravings on Maheshwar Fort are being developed. The “Silk Prosperity Scheme” will be extended to every district. New cheetah‑themed gift items that combine over 35 local crafts are also in development for sale at the Kuno Cheetah Sanctuary.
The meeting highlighted the achievements of the past two years: 2,568 village‑industry units approved under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme; Rs 63 crore in grants distributed; Rs 252 crore in bank loans facilitated; and 6,300 jobs created. Skill training reached 1,710 artisans, with 1,197 securing job placements. Department production hit Rs 10 crore, and emporium sales reached Rs 23 crore. New outlets opened at Jawahar Chowk and Bhopal Haat, and 79 exhibitions were held across the state and in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ranchi, and Chhattisgarh.
Looking ahead, the three‑year action plan includes upgrading facilities in Gwalior, expanding Khadi, textiles, and leather production under SFURTI in multiple districts, building common facility centres in Bhopal, offering e‑commerce platforms and design support to 1,000 weavers, training 1,700 artisans, equipping 800 with advanced tools, organizing 270 fairs, doubling Khadi production capacity, creating 8,000 jobs, and strengthening the One District One Product branding initiative.
— source: sktr/uk
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