The Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board (MSKVIB) is a pivotal organization dedicated to promoting Khadi, small-scale industries, Beekeeping and sustainable rural livelihoods across Maharashtra. Established to empower artisans, entrepreneurs, and traditional craftspeople, the board plays a crucial role in enhancing socio-economic development in rural areas.
Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board was a deeply fulfilling chapter in my professional journey. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to actively promote Khadi, support small-scale industries, and foster the growth of beekeeping, facilitate easy carpentry for making bee-boxes, propogate quality Madhuban Honey in the market, an experience that was both challenging and fulfilling.
The Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board has been a pillar of support for more than 10,000 small-scale units across the state. Through financial assistance, skill development, and guidance, these enterprises were given the foundation to set up units and thrive under Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme PMEGP and
Chief Minister's Employment Generation Programme CMEGP.
While some units flourished, others face struggle often due to limited marketing support or a lack of resources yet MSMEs are effectively contributing about 25% to the state's GDP.
Khadi, our national fabric, which holds immense cultural and historical significance is the soul of the Board. Yet it's legacy faces numerous challenges today.
This is mainly because Khadi is looked at as a rough piece of cloth worn by leaders. People and specially youth are still unaware of the new varieties and possibilities with Khadi. A visit to the Khadi Gramodyog Centre at Connaught Place in Delhi will surprise you with it's variety.
Our Honourable Prime Minister has been the best ambassador with his slogan, Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion. There is therefore a great need to present Khadi in a unique way. One of the easiest ways of incorporating the use of Khadi in our lives is by using products of daily use like towels, kerchiefs, bed sheets, night suits etc made of khadi.
Another reason why Khadi is langusihing is because it has to be hand woven and hand spun. This is not only time consuming but is also a costly process. Being manual, the quantity of cloth produced is not proportional to the effort put in and this affects the costing of the product and labour charges. Khadi can therefore flourish only when subsidies are effective. States like Gujarat, Tamilnadu and Rajasthan are giving good subsidies to Khadi in their states and so it is still flourishing there. The khadi units in Maharashtra have dwindled due to the stoppage of subsidies.
Another aspect is the lack of markets for the products being manufactured. Recognizing this, I worked tirelessly to rejuvenate Khadi’s appeal — organizing exhibitions, engaging with artisans, and creating new platforms to connect producers with consumers. The Khadi Kala Srishti Mela remains one of the most memorable milestones from my tenure, a grand showcase of Maharashtra’s finest Khadi artisans and their craftsmanship at BKC, the central business district of Maharashtra.
One of the most enriching aspects of my role was championing beekeeping, a sector that holds immense potential for enhancing both agriculture and rural incomes. Beekeeping is not just about honey; it plays a vital role in improving crop yields through pollination. For rural families, particularly women, it offers a valuable source of supplementary income.
The Directorate of Beekeeping at Mahabaleshwar is a true gem — a beautiful learning space where visitors can witness the magic of honey production firsthand. It’s a place where the story of bees, flowers, and golden nectar comes alive, and I encourage everyone to visit and experience it. Among its key initiatives the Directorate offers training programs on advanced beekeeping techniques, distributes modern beekeeping equipment at concessional rates and facilitates the marketing of pure honey under recognized labels through a buy back scheme. Establishing of Honey Villages, 'Madhacha Gaav' was another beautiful concept wherein the whole village is trained and funded to undertake beekeeping activities. After setting up 3 villages at Manghar, Patgaon and Gholvad, the Board has planned setting up of 16 more.
With this in mind, I worked passionately to promote beekeeping initiatives, emphasizing the importance of pure, high-quality honey. The Madhuban Honey brand became a symbol of this effort, a testament to our commitment to quality and authenticity. Organizing the Honey Festival was a highlight, where consumers could directly connect with beekeepers and experience the richness of pure honey. Inviting super chef Vishnu Manohar to share recipes with honey was an added attraction.
Convergence of government schemes is the new mantra so with the support of BARTI, Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute in Pune more than thousand women were trained in entrepreneurship and set up small business. Organisations like KVIC, MSSIDC, SIDBI, Women and Child Development Department, Skill Development Department have always encouraged our units.
My year-long journey with the Board was full of promise, challenges, and meaningful impact.The journey doesn’t end here for it’s a path of sustained efforts, collective support, and an unwavering belief in the potential of rural entrepreneurship.
While the larger efforts through events like the Khadi Kala Srishti Mela and the Honey Festival left a significant mark, I continue to carry my passion for these causes forward in my everyday life. A small yet heartfelt gesture I have adopted is gifting honey instead of bouquets, a simple act that reflects my belief in promoting pure honey and supporting the hardworking beekeepers behind it.
As we celebrate the Foundation Day of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board, I reflect on the unwavering dedication of artisans, beekeepers, and entrepreneurs who drive this mission forward. Their work not only preserves tradition but also empowers countless families across Maharashtra. With continued efforts, I believe Khadi can regain its rightful place in every Indian wardrobe, and honey, nature’s superfood can become a staple in households, celebrated for its purity and health benefits.
One of the most enriching aspects of my role was championing beekeeping, a sector that holds immense potential for enhancing both agriculture and rural incomes. Beekeeping is not just about honey; it plays a vital role in improving crop yields through pollination. For rural families, particularly women, it offers a valuable source of supplementary income.
The Directorate of Beekeeping at Mahabaleshwar is a true gem — a beautiful learning space where visitors can witness the magic of honey production firsthand. It’s a place where the story of bees, flowers, and golden nectar comes alive, and I encourage everyone to visit and experience it. Among its key initiatives the Directorate offers training programs on advanced beekeeping techniques, distributes modern beekeeping equipment at concessional rates and facilitates the marketing of pure honey under recognized labels through a buy back scheme. Establishing of Honey Villages, 'Madhacha Gaav' was another beautiful concept wherein the whole village is trained and funded to undertake beekeeping activities. After setting up 3 villages at Manghar, Patgaon and Gholvad, the Board has planned setting up of 16 more.
With this in mind, I worked passionately to promote beekeeping initiatives, emphasizing the importance of pure, high-quality honey. The Madhuban Honey brand became a symbol of this effort, a testament to our commitment to quality and authenticity. Organizing the Honey Festival was a highlight, where consumers could directly connect with beekeepers and experience the richness of pure honey. Inviting super chef Vishnu Manohar to share recipes with honey was an added attraction.
Convergence of government schemes is the new mantra so with the support of BARTI, Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute in Pune more than thousand women were trained in entrepreneurship and set up small business. Organisations like KVIC, MSSIDC, SIDBI, Women and Child Development Department, Skill Development Department have always encouraged our units.
My year-long journey with the Board was full of promise, challenges, and meaningful impact.The journey doesn’t end here for it’s a path of sustained efforts, collective support, and an unwavering belief in the potential of rural entrepreneurship.
While the larger efforts through events like the Khadi Kala Srishti Mela and the Honey Festival left a significant mark, I continue to carry my passion for these causes forward in my everyday life. A small yet heartfelt gesture I have adopted is gifting honey instead of bouquets, a simple act that reflects my belief in promoting pure honey and supporting the hardworking beekeepers behind it.
As we celebrate the Foundation Day of the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board, I reflect on the unwavering dedication of artisans, beekeepers, and entrepreneurs who drive this mission forward. Their work not only preserves tradition but also empowers countless families across Maharashtra. With continued efforts, I believe Khadi can regain its rightful place in every Indian wardrobe, and honey, nature’s superfood can become a staple in households, celebrated for its purity and health benefits.
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