National Khadi expo opens

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 4.

The Congress(I) president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, today inaugurated the first National Khadi Exhibition at the Red Fort Grounds here. The monthlong exhibition, organised by the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB), would offer khadi products on discount, hold fashion shows and on-the-spot painting competition for children with khadi as the theme.

The exhibition would also strongly promote the use of paper and jute bags and urge people to give up plastic bags. For this, the DKVIB has come out with designer paper and jute bags, done colourfully to attract public attention. These bags have been priced reasonably and would also be available for bulk purchase. ``This is part of our effort to promote use of eco-friendly products and discourage people from using poly bags,'' said the DKVIB Chairman, Mr. Karan Kanwar Singh.

Ms. Gandhi, who arrived at 1 p.m., along with the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, went through the various stalls set up by the khadi units from different parts of the country. She lauded the efforts of the artisans for keeping the tradition of khadi alive and complimented the DKVIB for coming out with brand products. In fact, it was Ms. Gandhi and Ms. Dixit, who were instrumental in getting the subsidy for the khadi industry restored.

Mr. Karan Kanwar Singh said that during the exhibition, fashion shows would also be organised to make khadi products the latest fashion statement. Apart from this, various products, including those used in daily life, have been prepared with ayurvedic base. Artisans from drought affected areas of Orissa and Rajasthan have also put up their stalls.

During the exhibition, a number of stars from Bollywood would also visit the stalls to promote khadi products.

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